DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Regional Governance

Joyce Quin: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he will publish the White Paper on English regional governance.

John Prescott: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions and I intend to publish the White Paper on Thursday 9 May.

United Nations Equator Initiative

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if the UK supports the aims of the United Nations Equator Initiative.

Clare Short: I have been asked to reply.
	The UK has not been directly involved in the United Nations Equator Initiative, which has been designed to support the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) and the Convention on Biodiversity. However, we support its aim to reduce poverty through the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in the equatorial belt by fostering, supporting and strengthening community partnerships. The initiative will highlight successful initiatives undertaken by communities in the equatorial belt who are using their biological resources in a sustainable way to improve livelihoods. The first Equator Initiative Awards for such initiatives will be presented at WSSD.

Parliamentary Questions

Tim Yeo: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the written questions asked of him between (a) 1 to 30 June 2001, (b) 1 to 31 July 2001, (c) 1 to 30 September 2001, (d) 1 to 31 October 2001, (e) 1 to 30 November 2001, (f) 1 to 31 December 2001, (g) 1 to 31 January 2002, (h) 1 to 28 February 2002, (i) 1 to 31 March 2002 and (j) 1 to 30 April 2002 that had not received a substantive answer by 30 April; and if he will state (i) the name of the hon. Member asking the question and (ii) the reasons the question had not received a substantive answer.

John Prescott: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Member for Livingston (Mr. Cook) today.
	As at 30 April my Department had one question from February and one question from March that had not received a substantive reply. These have since been answered.
	In addition 20 questions tabled in April had not received a substantive reply that were due for answer by that date.

PRIME MINISTER

Aga Khan

Frank Field: To ask the Prime Minister when he last met (a) the Aga Khan, (b) the Aga Khan development network and (c) the Aga Khan Foundation; what the subject matter of the meeting was; and what discussions he had in advance of the meeting.

Tony Blair: I have meetings with a wide range of organisations and individuals. As with previous Administrations it is not my practice to provide details of all such meetings.

St. Thomas's

Frank Field: To ask the Prime Minister 
	(1)  what recent representations he has received on the sale of the St. Thomas's old medical school site;
	(2)  what recent discussions he has had on the St. Thomas's old medical school site.

Tony Blair: I have received representations. I have made it clear that I am not in a position to intervene in the decision making on the St. Thomas's site. The site is owned by King's college London, and decisions on its future are a matter for them.

Parliamentary Questions

Tim Yeo: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the written questions asked of him between (a) 1 to 30 June 2001, (b) 1 to 31 July 2001, (c) 1 to 30 September 2001, (d) 1 to 31 October 2001, (e) 1 to 30 November 2001, (f) 1 to 31 December 2001, (g) 1 to 31 January 2002, (h) 1 to 28 February 2002, (i) 1 to 31 March 2002 and (j) 1 to 30 April 2002 that had not received a substantive answer by 30 April; and if he will state (i) the name of the hon. Member asking the question and (ii) the reasons the question had not received a substantive answer.

Tony Blair: Two ordinary written parliamentary questions tabled for answer on 24 and 29 April 2002 respectively have not yet been answered, but will be shortly.
	My office aims to answer all ordinary written parliamentary questions within five working days, and named day written parliamentary questions on the day named.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Departmental Staff

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many and what proportion of the staff of his Department are part-time employees.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 10 April 2002
	I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office (Mr. Leslie), on 11 April 2002, Official Report, column 553W.

Special Advisers

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much was spent by departmental special advisers on food, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks for entertainment purposes in each of the last five years.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 10 April 2002
	I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 10 April 2002, Official Report, column 348W.

Statutory Instruments

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 4 March 2002, Official Report, columns 42–45W, on statutory instruments, what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of each of the statutory instruments listed.

Angela Eagle: Costs associated with regulatory proposals are considered at the policy development stage. A regulatory impact assessment (RIA) is completed for regulatory proposals unless there are no or negligible costs, and sets out the impact, in terms of costs, benefits and risks of the proposed regulation which could affect businesses, charities or the voluntary sector. RIAs are available from the Library.

Drug Cases

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many drug cases were dealt with in magistrates courts in the Greater London area in each of the last three years.

Bob Ainsworth: The available information, from the Home Office Court Proceedings Database, provided in the table, shows the number of defendants proceeded against in magistrates courts within the Metropolitan police area for drug offences by outcome in the years 1998 to 2000.
	Information on court proceedings for 2001 will be available in the autumn.
	
		Number of defendants(1) proceeded against in magistrates courts in the Metropolitan police area by outcome, 1998–2000
		
			   Type of drug offences  
			  All types of which: Class A 
		
		
			  Defendants proceeded against 
			 1998 11,312 3,729 
			 1999 11,280 4,200 
			 2000 10,387 4,205 
			
			  Percentage of: 
			  Proceedings terminated early 
			 1998 10.7 11.7 
			 1999 10.5 11.3 
			 2000 11.1 11.6 
			 Defendants acquitted 
			 1998 0.3 0.3 
			 1999 0.3 0.3 
			 2000 0.3 0.3 
			
			  Defendants convicted 
			 1998 17.2 31.4 
			 1999 15.5 27.3 
			 2000 16.3 28.9 
			
			  Defendants committed for trial 
			 1998 71.8 56.6 
			 1999 73.7 61.1 
			 2000 72.2 59.1 
		
	
	(1) For which a drug offence was the principal offence

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to reply to the letter to him dated 18 March from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Gul Hargus.

Angela Eagle: I understand that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office replied to my right hon. Friend on 16 April 2002.

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to reply to the letter to him dated 18 February from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr. A Khilei.

Angela Eagle: My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary wrote to my right hon. Friend on 22 April 2002.

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to reply to the letter to him dated 22 February from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Debbie Esho.

David Blunkett: I wrote to my right hon. Friend on 1 May 2002.

British Overseas Citizenship

Neil Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people he estimates hold British overseas citizenship; and what information he holds about their countries of residence.

Angela Eagle: There is no reliable way of estimating the number of British overseas citizens. However, returns from our consulates and diplomatic missions suggest that there may be about 1.5 million such citizens, with the largest concentrations residing in Malaysia, India and Kenya. Many of these also hold the citizenship of the country in which they are resident.

Suicide and Voluntary Euthanasia

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the research commissioned by him in the last five years on (a) suicide, (b) assisted suicide and (c) voluntary euthanasia.

Keith Bradley: Policy in this area is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health. I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department of Health (Ms Blears) on 12 April 2002, Official Report, column 670W.

Domestic Security

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much of the £50 million provided for domestic security responsibilities since 11 September 2001 has been spent.

David Blunkett: All the additional money allocated to the Home Office that was announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his statement on the pre-Budget report on 27 November 2001 has been distributed to provide operational and technical support for the police and to enhance our preparedness to deal with the terrorist threat.

Belmarsh Prison

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what religious beliefs have been declared by prisoners held in the special secure unit at HMP Belmarsh; what pastoral care is available for groups of prisoners of each religion; and what arrangements have been made by prison authorities to respect the (a) religious practices and (b) dietary requirements of each religion.

Beverley Hughes: The facility at Belmarsh is designated as a High Secure Unit (HSU). Currently the religious beliefs of prisoners within the unit who have declared a faith are (a) Church of England, (b) Roman Catholic, (c) Judaism, and (d) Islam.
	All prisoners have access to ministers of their chosen faith, either as groups or individuals, at least once a week. Additional access can be requested by prisoners, which is then arranged. Religious services for each faith are held weekly within the HSU. In addition, the HSU can accommodate additional services required during times of religious festivals. Timings for religious services are built into the regime.
	Individual religious dietary requirements are offered at each mealtime and prisoners are able to choose from the selection of food on offer. Religious festivals or celebrations, which require a change in the content of meals or the time of their provision, are also catered for. All food is prepared to the respective religious belief.
	Prisoners are also supplied with religious items to enable them to practice their belief.

People Trafficking

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to offer victims of people- trafficking a reflection delay in order to make an informed decision regarding the pressing of charges against the traffickers.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 25 April 2002
	Arrangements already exist which enable the police to ask for someone subject to immigration control to be allowed to enter or remain in the United Kingdom where this would assist in the investigation of organised crime. These arrangements would permit a period of reflection, but it is not offered automatically. The Government have yet to decide whether or not to opt in to the proposed European directive on this subject.

Disability Discrimination Act

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what adjustments have been made to his Department's premises following the introduction of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995; and what the cost of these adjustments has been as a proportion of the Department's budget.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 29 April 2002
	The Home Department has taken account of the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 at its premises. Alteration works ranging from local works to suit the requirements of individuals to larger scale changes such as the construction of ramps, chair lifts and the refurbishment of toilets to accommodate wheelchair access have been undertaken where appropriate.
	Disability Discrimination Act surveys have been undertaken at a number of sites and remedial work has been undertaken or is planned as appropriate. At other premises, we have ensured that the provisions of the Act are covered as part of larger refurbishment projects, or when acquiring new property.
	The nature and cost of alterations to the Department's premises in order to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act are not recorded centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Racial Equality

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will ask the CRE to extend the deadline for parish councils which received the consultative document on the draft code of practice on the duty to promote race equality late; and if he will list, by county, the parish councils which responded to the consultation.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 30 April 2002
	As I said in my reply of 13 March 2002, the consultation period ended on 28 February 2002 but the deadline was extended until 15 March 2002 for those Parish Councils who notified the Commission for Racial Equality that they had received the consultation pack late. No further extension is possible.
	The draft Code of Practice was laid before Parliament on 17 April.
	The 87 Parish Councils which responded to the consultation exercise are listed alphabetically below (but a breakdown by county is not available).
	Name of Parish Council
	Ardeley Parish Council
	Arlesey Town Council
	Ashington Parish Council
	Balderton Parish Council
	Barlaston Parish Council
	Barton Mills Parish Council
	Beccles Town Council
	Birchanger Parish Council
	Birstall Parish Council
	Blithfield Parish Council
	Bradwell Parish Council
	Brockdish and Thorpe Parish Council
	Buckingham Town Council
	Cheddleton Parish Council
	Chepping Wycombe Parish Council
	Chipperfield Parish Council
	Chipstable Parish Council
	City of Ely Council
	Clayworth Parish Council
	Cottered Parish Council
	Dean and Shelton Parish Council
	Dilham Parish Council
	Dover Town Council
	East Hoathly with Halland Parish Council
	Eastfield Parish Council
	Emberton Parish Council
	Etchingham Parish Council
	Fakenham Town Council
	Farnham Parish Council
	Gnosall Parish Council
	Godalming Town Council
	Granborough Parish Council
	Gurnard Parish Council
	Haughton Parish Council
	Haydon Wick Parish Council
	Headley Parish Council
	Hedge End Town Council
	Hedon Parish Council
	Hessle Town Council
	Hexham Town Council
	Holtby Parish Council
	Holywell and Needingworth PC
	Hopton and Coton Parish Council
	Hoveton Parish Council
	Hythe and Dibden Parish Council
	Ingestre With Tixall Parish Council
	Leominster Town Council
	Llantwit Major Town Council
	Maplethorpe and Sutton Town Council
	Mavesyn Ridware Parish Council
	Mossley Town Council
	Newborough Parish Council
	Newbrough Parish Council
	Newholm—cum—Dunsley Parish Council
	North Hykeham Town Coucil
	Ormesby St. Michael Parish Council
	Perton Parish Council
	Peterlee Town Council
	Porter Heigham Parish Council
	Purleigh Parish Council
	Quarnford Parish Council
	Ringwood Town Council
	Saltburn, Marske and New Marske Parish Council
	Santon Downham Parish Council
	Seaford Town Council
	Sealescombe Parish Council
	Shildon Town Council
	Skegness Town Coucil
	St Ives Town Council
	Steeton with Eastburn Parish Council
	Steppingley Parish Council
	Stotfold Town Council
	Tavistock Town Council
	Terrington St Clement Parish Council
	Tollesbury Parish Council
	Trimingham Parish Council
	Uckfield Parish Council
	Uckfield Town Council
	Warden Parish Council
	Watford Rural Parish Council
	Werrington Parish Council
	West Buckland Parish Council
	West Itchenor Parish Council
	Wootton Parish Council
	Worth Parish Council
	Wyhondley Parish Council
	Wythall Parish Council.

Zimbabwe

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the UK and EU travel ban on Zimbabwean officials is enforced by (a) individual airlines and (b) immigration officials at ports of entry.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 30 April 2002
	The United Kingdom has adopted a travel ban on certain Zimbabwean officials consistent with a Common Position passed by the European Council. Whilst responsibility for deciding whether to carry a passenger ultimately rests with the airline, there is no requirement on the carrier to be fully satisfied in advance of travel that a passenger will be acceptable to the United Kingdom authorities. That judgment can be exercised only by the immigration officer on arrival. Airlines are, however, required to ensure that only properly documented passengers board their aircraft to the United Kingdom. Zimbabwean nationals do not require visas to enter the United Kingdom, but the airline is expected to ensure that the Zimbabwean passenger is the rightful holder of the passport being presented and that the document itself is acceptable for entry to the United Kingdom.
	The United Kingdom Immigration Service is responsible for enforcing the travel ban. Immigration officers at ports have been instructed not to grant entry to those Zimbabwean officials placed on the European Union travel ban list.

Zimbabwe

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which Zimbabwean nationals, subject to a travel ban by the United States, have recently passed through United Kingdom ports en-route to the US and any other destinations; and what liaison there is between UK and US immigration officials on this subject.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 30 April 2002
	We are not aware of any Zimbabwean nationals, subject to a travel ban, passing through the United Kingdom to other countries. But at major United Kingdom airports, only passengers who present themselves at the immigration control seeking entry whilst in transit would come to the attention of the Immigration Service. Many others will remain airside and travel on in direct transit to their destinations and without seeking leave to enter the United Kingdom.
	The Immigration and Nationality Directorate has strong links with Untied States officials. Anyone identified by the Immigration Service on arrival in the United Kingdom declared by the American authorities to be unacceptable for entry to the United States will be prevented from travelling on.

Asylum Seekers

Peter Bradley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many pilot accommodation centres for asylum seekers he is seeking to secure; when they will be identified; when they will be announced; and when they will be operational.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 25 April 2002
	In respect of the number of pilot accommodation centres we are seeking to secure I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Banbury (Tony Baldry) on 5 March 2002, Official Report, column 160W.
	In respect of the identification, announcement and operation of these sites, I refer my hon. Friend to the answers I gave to the hon. Member for Mid- Worcestershire (Mr. Luff) on 11 March 2002, Official Report, column 781W, and to the hon. Member for Edinburgh, West (John Barrett) on 18 March 2002, Official Report, column 97W.

Asylum Seekers

Peter Bradley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the development of all asylum seekers accommodation centres will require planning consent.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 25 April 2002
	Planning consent will be required in every case.

Asylum Seekers

Peter Bradley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how it is proposed that planning applications for asylum seekers' accommodation centres will be handled.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 25 April 2002
	Planning notifications will be submitted under the terms of Circular 18–84, which covers developments by Government Departments on Crown property. In every case there will be full consultation with the local authorities and local communities.

Asylum Seekers

Peter Bradley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidelines he proposes to issue to private companies proposing asylum seeker accommodation centres as to the standards expected of them in their relations with local communities and representative bodies.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 25 April 2002
	We cannot set standards for organisations prior to their involvement formally in arrangements for the delivery of accommodation centres. However, those invited to bid would be expected to do so in accordance with normally expected standards.

Asylum Seekers

Peter Bradley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what characteristics he seeks in the sites suitable for asylum seekers' accommodation centres.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 25 April 2002
	I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Mid-Worcestershire (Mr. Luff) on 7 February 2002, Official Report, column 1134W.

Asylum Seekers

Peter Bradley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to provide information to local communities where proposals to develop asylum seeker accommodation centres are made.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 25 April 2002
	I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Cleethorpes (Shona McIsaac) on 25 February 2002, Official Report, column 900W.

Asylum Seekers

Peter Bradley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many expressions of interest he has received from (a) private landowners and (b) private sector prospective operators of asylum seeker accommodation centres.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 28 April 2002
	The information requested is commercially confidential.

Yarl's Wood

Jonathan Sayeed: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if Ministers were informed that a decision had been made not to fit a sprinkler system to the premises at Yarl's Wood detention centre; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Eagle: The decision not to fit sprinklers was informed by a number of different expert sources. The Minister responsible at the time made the decision based upon this advice.

Yarl's Wood

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the latest estimated cost is of the Yarl's Wood fire; and how much is expected to be borne by the Exchequer.

Angela Eagle: For legal reasons I am unable to comment at this stage on the costs of the Yarl's Wood incident and who will bear responsibility for those costs.

TRANSPORT, LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND THE REGIONS

Railways

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many miles of new railway track have been commissioned in the last six months.

John Spellar: holding answer 18 March 2002
	The maintenance of track, including repairs and replacement, is carried out daily. Some large scale infrastructure projects are currently in hand, such as the West Coast Main Line upgrade which includes track-relaying, and others are being planned, such as the East Coast Main Line upgrade. A host of other infrastructure projects are also in hand or planned nation-wide, as indicated in the Strategic Rail Authority's Strategic Plan.

Budget (Effects on Cheltenham)

Nigel Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what effect the Budget of 17 April will have on the transport system in Cheltenham.

David Jamieson: The Chancellor's Budget statement included a number of fiscal and other measures relating to road vehicles and fuels. An assessment of the impact of these on the transport system in Cheltenham has not been carried out.

Young People

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions on what subjects and on which dates his Department has consulted organisations representing young people; and if he will list such organisations.

Sally Keeble: This information is not held centrally in the manner requested and could be secured only at disproportionate cost.
	The Department is committed to the new core principles for the involvement of children and young people published by the Minister for Young People in November 2001. The Department will shortly be publishing an action plan setting out for the first time how it will implement these principles to extend the participation of children and young people in the design, provision and evaluation of policies and services that affect them.

Ministerial Training

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how much has been spent by his Department on training by the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts for Ministers and officials in each of the last five years.

Alan Whitehead: holding answer 26 April 2002
	My Department has not incurred any expenditure on training by the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts for Ministers or officials in the last five years.

Ministerial Training

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how much has been spent by his Department on voice coaching for Ministers and officials in each of the last five years.

Alan Whitehead: holding answer 26 April 2002
	My Department has not incurred any expenditure on training on voice coaching for Ministers or officials in the last five years.

Ministerial Training

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how much has been spent by his Department on training in leadership skills for Ministers and officials in each of the last five years.

Alan Whitehead: holding answer 26 April 2002
	There has been no expenditure for training in leadership skills for Ministers in the last five years. However, my Department actively encourages training in leadership skills for officials and as a result of the civil service reform programme a considerable commitment has been made in the last two years.
	
		£000 
		
			 Year Expenditure 
		
		
			 1997–98 n/a 
			 1998–99 22.0 
			 1999–2000 26.8 
			 2000–01 207.0 
			 2001–02 618.6 
		
	
	n/a = not available

London Underground

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 
	(1)  what assessment his Department has made of EC Treaty Articles 81, 82, 87 and 88 with regard to the PPP of London Underground;
	(2)  what (a) discussions and (b) correspondence he and his Department have had with the European Commission with regard to the PPP of London Underground and EC Treaty Articles 81, 82, 87 and 88.

David Jamieson: The Government are aware of their obligations under European Community law. All appropriate regulatory clearances will be obtained before any PPP contracts take effect.

Construction Industry

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what representations have been made to his Department, and by whom, following the introduction of Building (Amendment) Regulations 2002.

Alan Whitehead: Since the introduction of the Building (Amendment) Regulations 2002, my Department has had representations from the Federation of Master Builders and the Federation of Small Businesses. These representations have led to a number of letters and questions from MPs and Peers.
	Up until 26 April we had also received around 30 items of correspondence, either directly or through Members of Parliament, from local authorities, industry bodies, individual installers of flues and glazing, window fabricators or potential scheme providers commenting on the schemes, asking for clarification on aspects of them, or wishing to be involved in self-certification. We have also held a number of meetings with further potential self-certification scheme providers in the fields of heating appliances, flue installation, energy ratings and assessments as well as with a trade body regarding the Fenestration Self-Assessment Scheme.

Council Housing

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how much council tenant rent was written off in each of the last five years in each local authority.

Sally Keeble: Local authorities reported the total rent arrears written off their Housing Revenue Account during each of the years 1996–97 to 2000–01. This information has been placed in the Libraries of the House.

Road Pricing

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what technology pilots into road pricing schemes his Department is involved with.

David Jamieson: We are supporting research projects into technology suitable for urban congestion charging or lorry distance-based charging: a demonstration of interoperable charging and telematics systems (jointly with Leeds city council and the Highways Agency); and a project on dynamic freight analysis.

Tyneside Multi-modal Study

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when the conclusions of the Tyneside multi-modal study will be published.

David Jamieson: The Tyneside area multi-modal study report, including consultants' recommendations will be forwarded to the Regional Assembly in July 2002. The Assembly will consider the findings, together with all comments received, before forwarding their recommendations to Government. A ministerial decision on an investment strategy will be made after full consideration of the issues.

Rail Freight

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what protection is given to rail freight operators against increases in track access charges by the Rail Regulator.

David Jamieson: The Rail Regulator published the final conclusions of his review of freight charging policy on 18 October 2001. This allowed a 50 per cent. reduction in the access charges that the freight operators pay Railtrack for the use of the network.

Chiltern Line

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on section 44.4 of the Chiltern franchise agreement, with particular reference to subsection (aa) and the reason that this clause was included in the agreement.

David Jamieson: Clause 44.4(aa) was included in the Chiltern franchise agreement as a result of negotiations between the Strategic Rail Authority and M40 Trains.

Chiltern Line

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 
	(1)  if it is his policy to continue the provision for train operating companies to be reimbursed by the Government for additional costs resulting from an interim review and adjustment of track access charges by the Rail Regulator when all the remaining franchises are renewed;
	(2)  whether Chiltern will continue to be reimbursed by the Government for additional costs resulting from an interim review and adjustment of track access charges by the Rail Regulator as part of its new franchise agreement.

David Jamieson: Yes. If such a provision was not included bidders for rail franchises would merely price the perceived risk of increased charges into their bids.

Seaports

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the security of seaports since 11 September.

David Jamieson: Under paragraph 1 of Part II of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, it is not the practice to disclose details of security matters.

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he will reply to the letter to him dated 13 March 2002 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr. Pat McGuinness.

Stephen Byers: I understand that Chris Shepley, Chief Inspector of the Planning Inspectorate, wrote to my right hon. Friend on 30 April.

Rural Housing

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 27 November 2002, Official Report, column 861W, on rural housing, how many households were identified as being in priority need for housing in (a) 1996, (b) 1997, (c) 1998, (d) 1999, (e) 2000, (f) 2001 and (g) 2002 in local authorities defined as rural.

Sally Keeble: Summary information on activity under the statutory homeless provisions of the 1996 Housing Act is reported to the Department by local authorities in England. This includes the number of households accepted as being eligible for assistance, unintentionally homeless and in priority need. The numbers of these households in authorities categorised as either "mixed rural" or "deep rural" are as follows:
	
		Households accepted as unintentionally homeless and in priority need: rural authorities in England—financial year totals
		
			  Number of households 
		
		
			 1996–97 15,190 
			 1997–98 14,460 
			 1998–99 14,440 
			 1999–2000 15,050 
			 2000–2001 17,160 
		
	
	Source:
	DTLR P1(E) housing activity return

Emergency Calls Service

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 
	(1)  what plans he has to review back-up mechanisms in the event of a 999 telephone failure; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what measures are in place to ensure availability of 999 services in the event of failure in the local telephone network.

Alan Whitehead: In addition to implementing contingency plans to restore the service, telephone companies liaise with the emergency services. The emergency services cover such circumstances with extra patrols, stationing vehicles at strategic points and advice through the media. Where possible calls will be transferred to another emergency service which should be in radio communication with the affected service.
	Particular attention is paid to the resilience and robustness of the 999 service. DTLR manages a 999 liaison committee which brings together representatives of the emergency services and the telephone operating companies to consider issues affecting the service. This matter will be raised at the next meeting of the committee.

Emergency Calls Service

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the level of service of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight 999 services on Thursday 25 April with particular reference to (a) emergency service 999 calls, (b) the telephone landlines in Southampton and parts of the Isle of Wight and (c) back-up arrangements.

Alan Whitehead: At 18.30 on Thursday a fault occurred in the equipment at the Southampton Bargate BT telephone exchange. Customers in Southampton and some in surrounding areas in Hampshire and Wiltshire were affected and experienced loss of service. 80 per cent. of customers had been restored to service by midnight and almost all others by 3.55 am.
	During the incident the BT call centres that answer 999 calls quickly liaised with the emergency services and implemented contingency plans. BT's 999 call centres are outside of the Southampton area. BT connected those who could make calls beyond their local area to neighbouring emergency services in Dorset or Hampshire who contacted the local emergency services using radio links or other means. For those who could only make local calls and therefore not access BT's 999 call centre, the emergency services covered these areas with extra patrols, stationing vehicles at strategic points and keeping the public informed through the media.
	Isle of Wight Fire and Ambulance Control Rooms were not affected and callers on the Isle of Wight would have been able to make 999 calls as they are routed via equipment at a building in Portsmouth, not the affected Southampton unit. In the case of a request for police assistance, calls were routed via the temporary links to Dorset police on behalf of Hampshire police.
	BT have informed me that a detailed investigation has established that a number of crucial components failed at the same time.

Railtrack Successor

Peter Lilley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the categories and value of payments made to, by and on behalf of the proposed Company Limited by Guarantee as a successor to Railtrack which will be paid from public funds.

John Spellar: The successor to Railtrack plc will continue to receive income to the time and profile as set out in the regulator's October 2000 periodic review and the April 2001 agreement between the Government and Railtrack.
	If Network Rail's bid is successful, the support to be provided by Government is outlined in the replies to the right hon. and learned Member for Folkestone and Hythe (Mr. Howard) on 16 April 2002, Official Report, column 812W, and to the hon. Member for Christchurch (Mr. Chope) on 24 April 2002, Official Report, columns 284–85W.

National Insurance

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what his estimate is of the cost in a full year of the Budget changes to employers' national insurance contributions to (a) his Department, (b) agencies of his Department and (c) local government carrying out functions within the responsibility of his Department.

Alan Whitehead: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by the my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 29 April 2002, Official Report, column 544W.

Parliamentary Questions

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the written questions asked of him between (a) 1 to 30 June 2001, (b) 1 to 31 July 2001, (c) 1 to 30 September 2001, (d) 1 to 31 October 2001, (e) 1 to 30 November 2001, (f) 1 to 31 December 2001, (g) 1 to 31 January 2002, (h) 1 to 28 February 2002, (i) 1 to 31 March 2002 and (j) 1 to 30 April 2002 that had not received a substantive answer by 30 April; and if he will state (i) the name of the hon. Member asking the question and (ii) the reasons the question had not received a substantive answer.

Alan Whitehead: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given today by my right hon. Friend the President of the Council.
	Since this Department was formed on 8 June 2001, Ministers have answered over 6,600 written questions. At 30 April 2002, 72 written questions had not received a substantive answer. By convention ordinary written questions are answered within a week of tabling and 60 of the 72 questions were tabled after 24 April. Of the remaining 12 questions, one named day question was given a holding reply on 18 March and a substantive answer was given on 2 May; seven other named day questions were given a holding reply on various dates in April and they have now been given substantive answers; and four ordinary written questions which were due for answer in the period 12 to 24 April were answered on 1 May.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

New Deal

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many people have been employed by her Department in each of the last three years under (a) the New Deal for Young People, (b) the New Deal for the Over 50s and (c) the New Deal for Lone Parents; and at what cost, listed by category, to public funds.

Ivan Lewis: Information on the numbers employed on New Deal is not held in a format that identifies those employed on the over 50 or lone parent programmes.
	Information on the subsidised numbers employed under New Deal for Young People is as follows:
	
		New Deal for Young People
		
			 Year  
		
		
			 1998–1999 12 
			 1999–2000 26 
			 2000–2001 50 
			 2001–2002 3 
		
	
	The figures for 2000–02 relate to DfES and its former Department DfEE. The figure for 2000–01 was prior to the Machinery of Government changes. The figure for 2001–02 takes account of the Machinery of Government changes.
	Since 1 April 2000 there have been 51 unsubsidised New Deal job starts. It is not possible to allocate any of these to any particular age or client group.
	New Deal recruits take up existing vacancies so any extra cost to public funds is limited to the subsidy, where appropriate, and to any training and development which may be needed. The cost of the latter cannot be identified.

School Transport

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of school children travelled by (a) foot, (b) bus, (c) car, (d) bicycle, (e) train and (f) other form of transport to rural (i) primary and (ii) secondary schools in (A) 1999, (B) 2000 and (C) 2001.

Stephen Timms: holding answer 15 April 2002
	Information is only available in respect of people living in rural areas, not for rural schools, and data are not sufficiently reliable for individual years.
	From the National Travel Survey, the distribution of mode of travel to school for people living in rural areas of Great Britain over the period 1992–2000 was as follows:
	
		
			 Percentage travelling by: Primary Secondary 
		
		
			 (a) Foot 41 19 
			 (b) Bus 15 51 
			 (c) Car 40 22 
			 (d)-(e)-(f) Bicycle, train, other 4 8 
		
	
	Note:
	Percentages are calculated across all children coded as being in education in the National Travel Survey. Primary pupils defined as children aged 5–10 in the National Travel Survey Secondary pupils defined as children aged 11–16 in the National Travel Survey.
	Source:
	DTLR
	The sample size is too small to give accurate figures for bicycle and train which together account for less than half of the last category shown. Rural areas are those with a population of less than 3,000 as defined by the 1991 Census.

Business Development Unit

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the work of the Business Development Unit; and what her estimate is of the financial value of sponsorship and other support they have secured.

Stephen Timms: The Business Development Unit has, since its establishment in January 2001, managed and developed the Department's relationships with appropriate key business partners, promoting their understanding of and responses to our educational policies; and to date secured sponsorship of over £7.3 million in cash and in kind from businesses in support of national projects for the schools sector.

Examinations

Eleanor Laing: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many pupils are studying (a) mathematics, (b) physics, (c) chemistry, (d) biology, (e) history, (f) English literature, (g) French, (h) geography and (i) economics at (i) GCSE and (ii) A-level; and how many passed in each subject, broken down by grade achieved in all institutions in each year from 1997 to 2001.

Stephen Timms: holding answer 10 April 2002
	The information requested is shown in the following tables.
	
		GCSE entries and achievements of all candidates in all schools and further education sector colleges, 1996–97 to 2000–01
		
			 Academic year Number of entries Grade A* Grade A Grade B Grade C Grade D Grade E Grade F Grade G Total A*-C Total A*-G 
		
		
			 1996–97
			 Mathematics 660,910 13,121 46,520 90,104 152,279 106,312 97,925 76,689 77,960 302,024 622,567 
			 Physics 38,527 5,429 8,700 11,063 7,627 2,866 1,491 579 772 32,819 37,811 
			 Chemistry 39,406 5,597 8,441 11,386 8,397 2,835 1,344 539 867 33,821 38,617 
			 Biology 52,043 4,592 10,564 13,296 10,016 5,817 3,609 1,193 2,956 38,468 49,338 
			 History 212,215 9,266 27,047 42,351 41,631 30,852 24,206 17,456 19,406 120,295 203,545 
			 English literature 468,037 12,721 50,611 100,800 121,708 83,831 49,928 27,929 20,509 285,840 455,987 
			 French 313,013 12,193 44,354 44,317 52,757 57,300 41,737 33,666 26,689 153,621 302,679 
			 Geography 265,895 10,560 32,290 48,136 51,560 44,060 35,023 24,067 20,199 142,546 257,229 
			 Economics 8,530 244 1,027 1,719 2,179 1,546 627 454 734 5,169 8,021 
			 1997–98
			 Mathematics 644,224 12,994 47,887 96,232 140,079 112,866 102,275 57,344 31,897 297,192 601,574 
			 Physics 39,316 6,511 9,512 9,765 8,189 3,342 1,121 322 88 33,977 38,850 
			 Chemistry 39,924 5,524 10,571 10,617 8,170 3,027 1,119 319 102 34,882 39,449 
			 Biology 51,354 4,920 11,265 11,867 11,237 6,026 2,668 829 329 39,289 49,141 
			 History 192,621 9,703 27,777 38,008 36,462 26,683 21,587 15,910 9,670 111,950 185,800 
			 English literature 455,651 16,175 47,530 88,119 125,222 83,181 52,265 25,160 10,423 277,046 448,075 
			 French 312,358 18,686 34,615 41,480 57,374 59,784 48,060 31,718 15,547 152,155 307,264 
			 Geography 240,822 10,924 28,993 39,153 53,430 43,270 29,932 19,030 9,300 132,500 234,032 
			 Economics 6,625 247 791 1,384 1,583 1,188 595 324 214 4,005 6,326 
			 
			 1998–99
			 Mathematics 650,930 14,700 50,136 102,120 141,303 120,218 96,772 59,449 31,841 308,259 616,539 
			 Physics 40,166 7,582 9,787 9,641 7,997 3,361 968 330 98 35,007 39,764 
			 Chemistry 40,653 6,441 10,523 10,353 8,193 3,331 1,036 336 87 35,510 40,300 
			 Biology 50,329 5,918 10,982 12,106 10,671 5,681 2,265 758 329 39,677 48,710 
			 History 192,206 11,429 28,975 38,843 36,287 26,342 21,114 14,637 8,599 115,534 186,226 
			 English literature 471,723 16,390 53,513 102,057 122,557 80,655 51,149 27,077 10,685 294,517 464,083 
			 French 316,742 19,529 35,488 44,213 62,256 58,243 46,460 31,599 14,608 161,486 312,396 
			 Geography 234,144 11,082 29,223 38,786 53,669 40,767 27,564 17,412 8,681 132,760 227,184 
			 Economics 5,766 241 770 1,202 1,419 1,037 421 270 181 3,632 5,541 
			 
			 1999–2000
			 Mathematics 651,804 17,951 50,100 105,652 147,105 118,257 98,578 57,102 27,198 320,808 621,943 
			 Physics 40,230 7,088 10,447 9,868 7,851 3,347 920 264 88 35,254 39,873 
			 Chemistry 40,524 6,564 10,667 10,237 8,249 3,285 896 241 64 35,717 40,203 
			 Biology 50,068 5,853 11,528 11,798 10,880 5,490 2,050 672 273 40,059 48,544 
			 History 193,447 13,205 30,720 39,016 35,627 26,040 20,194 14,779 8,474 118,568 188,055 
			 English literature 476,486 17,024 56,469 107,386 120,040 80,333 50,561 25,732 10,758 300,919 468,303 
			 French 318,889 19,811 35,340 42,832 64,276 57,625 46,288 32,128 15,677 162,259 313,977 
			 Geography 221,005 11,315 28,836 37,148 50,137 38,099 25,333 16,135 8,009 127,436 215,012 
			 Economics 5,352 221 709 1,137 1,324 989 404 233 134 3,391 5,151 
			 
			 2000–01
			 Mathematics 670,858 18,250 55,248 111,725 150,697 121,798 95,976 58,194 28,243 335,920 640,131 
			 Physics 40,602 7,212 10,678 9,742 8,208 3,188 889 252 97 35,840 40,266 
			 Chemistry 40,911 6,761 11,103 10,117 8,241 3,211 903 228 59 36,222 40,623 
			 Biology 48,961 6,858 11,185 11,740 10,286 4,778 1,862 709 269 40,069 47,687 
			 History 197,789 15,164 31,241 38,705 36,000 26,915 20,598 14,668 8,739 121,110 192,030 
			 English literature 499,205 18,515 59,512 112,480 124,886 86,740 50,825 25,403 11,707 315,393 490,068 
			 French 326,065 22,022 32,971 41,496 71,810 59,683 45,143 31,293 16,374 168,299 320,792 
			 Geography 223,525 17,282 29,126 35,964 50,501 36,105 24,721 15,697 7,792 132,873 217,188 
			 Economics 4,694 246 650 1,038 1,170 773 362 172 113 3,104 4,524 
		
	
	Source:
	Taken from data collected for the Secondary Performance Tables.
	
		GCE A-level entries and achievements of all candidates in all schools and further education sector colleges, 1996–97 to 2000–01
		
			 Academic year  Number of entries Grade A Grade B Grade C Grade D Grade E Grades A-E 
		
		
			 1996–97
			 Mathematics 63,858 17,078 12,533 10,772 8,961 6,636 55,980 
			 Physics 29,844 6,291 6,350 5,400 4,653 3,446 26,140 
			 Chemistry 38,251 7,960 7,991 6,962 5,661 4,574 33,148 
			 Biology 51,477 7,329 9,861 9,736 9,069 7,570 43,565 
			 History 38,066 5,435 7,007 7,753 7,020 5,101 32,316 
			 English literature 55,905 9,218 11,350 13,072 11,650 7,182 52,472 
			 French 22,503 4,532 4,514 4,422 3,779 2,770 20,017 
			 Geography 38,581 4,540 8,276 8,979 7,428 5,212 34,435 
			 Economics 20,217 3,186 3,374 3,681 3,604 2,788 16,633 
			 
			 1997–98
			 Mathematics 64,346 18,103 12,241 10,672 9,049 6,902 56,967 
			 Physics 30,605 6,891 6,264 5,697 4,773 3,492 27,117 
			 Chemistry 38,752 8,965 8,061 7,186 5,715 4,304 34,231 
			 Biology 52,260 8,200 10,032 9,942 9,202 7,521 44,897 
			 History 36,065 5,472 6,849 7,430 6,736 4,625 31,112 
			 English literature 54,026 9,440 11,266 12,761 11,057 6,331 50,855 
			 French 20,622 4,517 4,291 4,017 3,542 2,429 18,796 
			 Geography 39,337 5,991 8,610 9,145 7,350 4,828 35,924 
			 Economics 18,868 3,323 3,322 3,631 3,192 2,413 15,881 
			 1998–99
			 Mathematics 63,510 18,073 11,962 10,531 8,791 6,940 56,297 
			 Physics 30,428 7,330 6,042 5,699 4,667 3,484 27,222 
			 Chemistry 37,469 9,126 8,015 7,030 5,574 3,965 33,711 
			 Biology 50,159 8,491 9,478 9,775 8,907 7,032 43,683 
			 History 34,855 5,789 6,803 7,490 6,280 4,055 30,417 
			 English literature 51,163 9,037 10,672 12,389 10,327 5,968 48,393 
			 French 18,662 4,342 3,853 3,752 3,059 2,131 17,137 
			 Geography 37,500 6,225 8,224 8,756 7,100 4,307 34,612 
			 Economics 18,865 3,560 3,425 3,705 3,293 2,486 16,469 
			 
			 1999–2000
			 Mathematics 60,734 17,600 11,543 10,156 8,679 6,222 54,200 
			 Physics 28,945 7,179 5,720 5,312 4,390 3,300 25,901 
			 Chemistry 36,696 9,237 8,061 6,823 5,389 3,713 33,223 
			 Biology 48,987 8,436 9,546 9,630 8,609 6,819 43,040 
			 History 34,488 5,887 6,809 7,575 6,125 3,984 30,380 
			 English literature 48,417 9,066 10,100 11,943 9,720 5,290 46,119 
			 French 16,049 3,807 3,430 3,194 2,609 1,710 14,750 
			 Geography 33,405 6,029 7,438 7,578 5,980 3,813 30,838 
			 Economics 17,742 3,736 3,261 3,282 3,141 2,250 15,670 
			 
			 2000–01
			 Mathematics 61,202 17,732 11,362 9,894 8,625 6,607 54,220 
			 Physics 28,725 7,121 5,698 5,260 4,241 3,343 25,663 
			 Chemistry 35,138 9,170 7,622 6,512 4,980 3,671 31,955 
			 Biology 46,868 8,519 9,237 9,232 7,945 6,412 41,345 
			 History 35,032 6,356 7,223 7,636 6,104 3,641 30,960 
			 English literature 47,486 9,403 9,915 11,648 9,351 4,928 45,245 
			 French 16,102 4,010 3,308 3,150 2,571 1,731 14,770 
			 Geography 33,461 6,387 7,477 7,526 5,948 3,669 31,007 
			 Economics 17,369 3,829 3,263 3,498 3,029 1,964 15,583 
		
	
	Source:
	Taken from data collected from the 16–18 School and College Performance Tables.

Ofsted

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what requirements were (a) placed on and (b) removed from the Office for Standards in Education in the last year for which information is available.

Stephen Timms: I refer the hon. Member to the reply about the requirements placed on, and removed from, HM Chief Inspector of Schools which I answered on 1 May.

Teachers

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what reasons underlie the changes in the number of teacher training places since 1997.

Stephen Timms: The number of places on courses of initial teacher training that my right hon. Friend makes available each year is designed to ensure a supply of newly qualified teachers adequate for the forecast needs of maintained schools in England. The total is informed by a statistical model of the demand for new teachers, taking account of the availability of funding and of the capacity of training providers. The number of places available has risen each year since 1999–2000 and, from this September, will be the highest for over a decade.

Parliamentary Questions

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list the written questions asked of her between (a) 1 to 30 June 2001, (b) 1 to 31 July 2001, (c) 1 to 30 September 2001, (d) 1 to 31 October 2001, (e) 1 to 30 November 2001, (f) 1 to 31 December 2001, (g) 1 to 31 January 2002, (h) 1 to 28 February 2002, (i) 1 to 31 March 2002 and (j) 1 to 30 April 2002 that had not received a substantive answer by 30 April; and if she will state (i) the name of the hon. Member asking the question and (ii) the reasons the question had not received a substantive answer.

Estelle Morris: The following table provides details of questions tabled to my Department and waiting reply as at 30 April.
	
		
			 Questioner Dates PQs outstanding 
		
		
			 Mark Todd 2–28 February 2002 1 
			
			 John Battle (1) 1–31 March 2002 13 
			 John Bercow (4)   
			 Colin Breed (1)   
			 Damian Green (1)   
			 Lynne Jones (1)   
			 Eleanor Laing (3)   
			 Phil Willis (1)   
			 Tony Wright (1)   
			
			 John Bercow (8) 1–30 April 2002 68 
			 Graham Brady (3)   
			 Alistair Burt (1)   
			 Brian Cotter (1)   
			 Ross Cranston (1)   
			 Claire Curtis-Thomas (1)  
			 Louise Ellman (1)   
			 Chris Grayling (9)   
			 Jane Griffiths (1)   
			 Alan Hurst (2)   
			 Lynne Jones (1)   
			 Julian Lewis (4)   
			 David Lidington (1)   
			 Tim Loughton (1)   
			 John Mann (8)   
			 Gillian Merron (1)   
			 Mark Oaten (1)   
			 Chris Ruane (1)   
			 Barry Sheerman (3)   
			 Phyllis Starkey (1)   
			 Gerry Steinberg (1)   
			 Matthew Taylor (1)   
			 Jenny Tonge (1)   
			 Andrew Turner (8)   
			 Dave Watts (1)   
			 Phil Willis (1)   
			 Shaun Woodward (1)   
			 James Wray (4)   
		
	
	These represent less than 8 per cent. of questions tabled to my Department between 1 February and 30 April. We are working towards providing all Members with substantive answers as soon as possible.
	I also refer the hon. Member to the reply given today by my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House of Commons.

Manufacturing (Skills)

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps she is taking to raise the level of skills in UK manufacturing.

John Healey: Arrangements for training in the manufacturing industry are a matter for employers, as in any other industry. However, my Department has in place a wide range of policies designed to improve the nation's skills base. There are four key elements to our strategy for achieving a high skills, high value added economy, they are to:
	strengthen the links between learning and employment;
	create excellence in vocational learning;
	work with employers to boost skills and productivity;
	promote the adult basic skills strategy.
	Within this context we are developing a network of Sector Skills councils that will engage employers more fully in the planning and delivery of learning and skills. We are pleased that important manufacturing interests such as textiles, oil and gas production, refining and distribution and chemicals manufacture are represented among the trailblazer Sector Skills councils. We are committed to building the conditions in which a successful manufacturing sector can thrive. The network of business-led councils will provide the framework in which to develop a highly skilled workforce that will support improved productivity and innovation in manufacturing companies in the UK.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Debt

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 
	(1)  what the value is of the bilateral debt repayments held in trust by the UK;
	(2)  how many of the bilateral debt repayments held in trust by the UK have been repaid to developing countries.

Paul Boateng: I have been asked to reply.
	As of end of 2001, the UK has been holding in trust a total of £1,057,200 for six countries. Provision is being made to make payment to countries that have reached their Decision Point in this financial year.

Debt

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment she has made of the impact of natural disasters on levels of debt sustainability of heavily indebted poor countries.

Clare Short: The Government have been following closely the impact of falling commodity prices on developing countries even before the events of 11 September. At the annual meetings of the World bank and IMF in Ottawa last November, we raised this concern and asked bank and fund staff to revisit the debt sustainability analyses of all commodity dependent low-income countries, including HIPCs. The IMF and World bank analysis, published last month, shows that, although the situation varies from country to country, the external debt indicators for most HIPC countries have deteriorated, and several HIPC countries now face unsustainable debt burdens as a result. Following UK pressure, the World bank and IMF boards have agreed to provide additional relief to countries in this situation. This was reconfirmed at the spring meetings last month.

Debt

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the total is of public and publicly guaranteed external debt owed by all developing countries; and what proportion of this is owed by the heavily indebted poor countries.

Clare Short: The total public and publicly guaranteed external debt owed by all developing countries to the UK is £21.656 billion, of which £1.356 billion is owed by heavily indebted poor countries (HIPC), as at 31 March 2002. This includes £167 million of aid debts for middle and low-income countries; HIPCs account for £54 million of this. The UK has already written off its aid loans to all the poorest countries, not just HIPCs. However, the outstanding amounts are still included in DFID's accounts, as payments are written off as they become due.
	The remaining amount consists of publicly guaranteed debt owed to ECGD (£21.349 billion, of which HIPCs account for £1.248 billion) and CDC (£140.12 million, of which HIPCs account for £54.21 million). The HIPC figures take account of debt relief to date and will continue to diminish over time as countries complete the HIPC process. The UK's definition of developing countries is based on the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) list of aid recipients at 1 January 2000, which includes countries in transition and middle- income countries.

Debt

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 
	(1)  what human development indicators are taken into account when debt sustainability levels are calculated; and how;
	(2)  whether HIV/Aids levels are taken into account in debt sustainability measurements of the HIPC initiative;

Clare Short: When assessing developing countries' debt sustainability, principally in the context of the heavily indebted poor countries (HIPC) initiative, the IMF and World bank work with Government in the countries themselves to produce detailed forecasts of export growth, GDP growth and new borrowing. These forecasts take account of various factors affecting the countries' economic situation, and the need for concessional borrowing to finance their poverty reduction strategies.

Childhood Immunisation

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the value of childhood immunisation in developing countries.

Clare Short: Immunisation against common childhood diseases are among the most cost effective interventions in health. Reducing the burden of communicable diseases directly benefits child survival and contributes to progress toward the child mortality millennium development goal. Vaccines against diphtheria, measles, pertussis, tetanus, polio, and tuberculosis currently save up to 3 million lives annually worldwide. Of the 30 million children who do not get vaccinated about 25 million live in low income countries.
	Through its support of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI) my Department is helping to achieve higher coverage with routine and new vaccines in poor countries that has the potential to save a further two million lives each year.

National Insurance

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what her estimate is of the cost in a full year of the Budget changes to employers' national insurance contributions to (a) her Department, (b) agencies of her Department and (c) charities in the overseas development sector.

Clare Short: I estimate that the Budget changes to employers' national insurance contributions will add approximately £400,000 per year to DFID staff costs from April 2003. DFID does not have any agencies as such, and we are not able to estimate the cost to charities in the overseas development sector.

Parliamentary Questions

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the written questions asked of her between (a) 1 to 30 June 2001, (b) 1 to 31 July 2001, (c) 1 to 30 September 2001, (d) 1 to 31 October 2001, (e) 1 to 30 November 2001, (f) 1 to 31 December 2001, (g) 1 to 31 January 2002, (h) 1 to 28 February 2002, (i) 1 to 31 March 2002 and (j) 1 to 30 April 2002 that had not received a substantive answer by 30 April; and if she will state (i) the name of the hon. Member asking the question and (ii) the reasons the question had not received a substantive answer.

Clare Short: In the period indicated 1,482 questions were tabled to my Department, of which 99.12 per cent. were substantively answered by 30 April 2002. Twelve questions remain unanswered at present. These are due to the usual inter-Departmental consultations conducted in order to ensure as full an answer as possible is provided to MPs.

Sudan

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what funding her Department has allocated in 2002–03 for projects in the Sudan; and if she will list them.

Clare Short: We have an allocation at the start of this year of approximately £8 million for Sudan. Much of this will be spent on meeting humanitarian needs, the rest on activities in support of the peace process. Activities will largely be determined in-year according to need.

Overseas Projects

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment she has made of the value for money achieved by the National Agency for the Development and Implementation of Reconstruction Programmes in Romania.

Clare Short: The National Agency for the Development and Implementation of the Reconstruction Programmes for the Mining Regions (NAD) was set up as an autonomous agency by the Government of Romania in February 1998. Its remit is to achieve the social and economic regeneration of communities in mining regions. It is still in the process of fully developing its capacity and skills, support for which is being given by my Department and the World bank. It is too early to assess the value for money being achieved by NAD.

African Farmers

Candy Atherton: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps are being taken to ensure that the interests of African farmers are being secured with regard to intellectual property rights.

Clare Short: A number of international agencies, supported by DFID, have assisted developing countries to introduce intellectual property rights regimes for improved crop varieties, which take account of their particular socio-economic circumstances, for example protecting farmers' rights to save seed from one crop to the next. We will continue to support such initiatives and to help ensure that any future developments in international agreements on intellectual property rights regimes, including in the WTO, continue to take account of the needs of developing countries.
	Furthermore, the UK Government has established the UK Commission on Intellectual Property Rights (CIPR), to look at how international intellectual property agreements can best take account of the needs of poor people in developing countries (for further information see http://www.iprcommission.org or telephone +44(0) 2077637162). The Commission will look at many of the issues relating to the developmental impact of intellectual property rights, including the effect of intellectual property rights on poor farmers in developing countries. We expect the Commission to report its recommendations by summer 2002.

Cambodia

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of children's (a) participation in primary education and (b) access to health services in Cambodia.

Clare Short: Large numbers of Cambodian children are poor and do not have access to good primary education and health services. The quality of state education provision is low. Net enrolment rates are 78 per cent. at primary level (74 per cent. for girls) reducing to 6 per cent. at upper secondary level (5 per cent. for girls). The primary education sector is currently receiving substantial support from a consortium of donors led by the Asian Development bank, which includes some assistance from my Department.
	State health provision is poor, though improving from a very low base and with notable successes in certain areas, including in combating malaria and HIV/AIDS. Infant and under-five mortality rates are 86 and 122 per 1,000 live births. Since 1992, my Department has committed £20 million to improve access by the poor to health services and for HIV/AIDS programmes. We plan to provide further substantial support in these areas.

Cambodia

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what aid is being directed to Cambodia by (a) the UK and (b) the EU.

Clare Short: In 2001–02 my Department provided £5.8 million and in 2002–03 we expect to spend about £7.5 million, mainly focused on rural development and health, including HIV/AIDS. We contributed £0.58 million to help organise and run the Cambodian commune elections in 2001. The latest figures available for European Union member state and European Commission development assistance for Cambodia relate to calendar year 2000, when member states (including the United Kingdom) provided £62.4 million and the European Community £18.5 million, of which the UK share was £3.5 million.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

National Lottery

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how her Department defines the principle of additionality with regard the distribution of lottery funds; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: Lottery money must not substitute for services already provided by Government and funded by the Exchequer, but it can add to them. There are many desirable projects within the fields of health, the environment and education as well as the arts, sport and heritage, which would not be funded within existing priorities. Lottery money is used both to fund projects which would not receive funding from the Exchequer and in some cases to support innovations which, if successful, may eventually become absorbed into mainstream funding.

National Insurance

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will estimate the cost in the next 12 months of the Budget changes to employers' national insurance contributions to (a) her Departments, (b) agencies of her Department and (c) local government, carrying out functions within the responsibility of her Department.

Kim Howells: It is estimated that the changes to employers' national insurance contributions announced in the Budget will increase pay costs on average by 0.7 per cent. next year.

National Insurance

John Greenway: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the cost to museums, galleries and arts organisations of the proposed increase in national insurance contributions.

Kim Howells: holding answer 29 April 2002
	It is estimated that the changes to employers' national insurance contributions announced in the Budget will increase pay costs on average by 0.7 per cent. next year.

Recruitment

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many net additional staff her Department has recruited in each month since June 2001 at (a) executive officer level and (b) administrative level.

Kim Howells: The number of net additional staff recruited by the Department are shown in the following table:
	
		
			 Month/  Executive officer level  Administrative level  
			 type of staff Headcount FTE(2) Headcount FTE(2) 
		
		
			 June 2001 
			 Permanent -1 -1 7 7 
			 Casual -1 -1 0 0 
			 Total -2 -2 7 7 
			  
			 July 2001 
			 Permanent 1 1 -1 -1 
			 Casual 1 1 0 0 
			 Total 2 2 -1 -1 
			  
			 August 2001 
			 Permanent 0 0 -1 -1 
			 Casual 0 0 0 0 
			 Total 0 0 -1 -1 
			  
			 September 2001 
			 Permanent -2 -2 4 4 
			 Casual -5 -5 0 0 
			 Total -7 -7 4 4 
			  
			 October 2001 
			 Permanent 0 0 -1 -1 
			 Casual 1 1 0 0 
			 Total 1 1 -1 -1 
			 
			 November 2001 
			 Permanent 0 0 -2 -2 
			 Casual 0 0 0 0 
			 Total 1 1 -2 -2 
			 December 2001 
			 Permanent -1 -1 0 0 
			 Casual 0 0 1 1 
			 Total -1 -1 1 1 
			  
			 January 2002 
			 Permanent 1 1 3 3 
			 Casual 0 0 0 0 
			 Total 1 1 3 3 
			  
			 February 2002 
			 Permanent 0 0 1 1 
			 Casual 0 0 1 1 
			 Total 0 0 2 2 
			  
			 March 2002 
			 Permanent 1 1 -3 -3 
			 Casual 0 0 1 1 
			 Total 1 1 -2 -2 
			  
			 Grand total -4 -4 10 10 
		
	
	(2) Full time equivalent

National Heritage Memorial Fund

Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will ensure that the National Heritage Memorial Fund publishes a breakdown of the funds that have been allocated, indicating (a) to whom the funds have been allocated, (b) how long the allocation has been in place and (c) reasons for significant delays in the release of funds to the beneficiaries.

Kim Howells: The National Heritage Memorial Fund (NHMF) publishes information on grants in its annual report. Funds remain allocated until the grantee draws them down or NHMF is informed that the funds will not be needed. There are no delays in the release of funds by NHMF, with payment taking on average just 13 working days from the date on which grantees apply to draw on moneys awarded to them. However, delays could occur as a result of changes in the grant recipients' own project timetable which may mean they delay drawing down funds.

World Tourism Organisation

David Marshall: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on her policy on the United Kingdom joining the World Tourism Organisation.

Kim Howells: The Government do not believe that there would be value for money in joining the World Tourism Organisation, membership of which would cost an estimated £200,000 a year. However, DCMS does takes an interest in the work of the WTO and offers co-operation in areas such as statistics and best practice in environmentally sustainable development.

Parliamentary Questions

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list the written questions asked of her between (a) 1 to 30 June 2001, (b) 1 to 31 July 2001, (c) 1 to 30 September 2001, (d) 1 to 31 October 2001, (e) 1 to 30 November 2001, (f) 1 to 31 December 2001, (g) 1 to 31 January 2002, (h) 1 to 28 February 2002, (i) 1 to 31 March 2002 and (j) 1 to 30 April 2002 that had not received a substantive answer by 30 April; and if she will state (i) the name of the hon. Member asking the question and (ii) the reasons the question had not received a substantive answer.

Kim Howells: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Council today.
	Ministers make every attempt to answer questions within the agreed time scales but delays may occur when we are required to obtain information from external sources such as our sponsored bodies. The number of questions still awaiting a reply from the Department at the end of April is shown in the table.
	
		
			 Period Total tabled Number outstanding UIN Date tabled Hon. Member for . . .  
		
		
			 1 to 30 June 2001 139 0 — — — 
			 1 to 31 July 2001 160 0 — — — 
			 1 to 30 September 2001 7 0 — — — 
			 1 to 31 October 2001 162 0 — — — 
			 1 to 30 November 2001 256 0 — — — 
			 1 to 31 December 2001 184 0 — — — 
			 1 to 31 January 2002 210 0 — — — 
			 1 to 28 February 2002 246 0 — — — 
			 1 to 31 March 2002   47255 25 March 2002 Buckingham 
			 1 to 31 March 20022813 485335 26 March 2002 South Suffolk 
			 1 to 31 March 2002   48377 26 March 2002 South Suffolk 
			 1 to 30 April 2002   52069 18 April 2002 Isle of Wight 
			 1 to 30 April 2002   51760 17 April 2002 North Devon 
			 1 to 30 April 2002   52420 22 April 2002 New Forest, East 
			 1 to 30 April 2002   52471 23 April 2002 Crosby 
			 1 to 30 April 2002   52506 23 April 2002 Milton Keynes, South-West 
			 1 to 30 April 200214211 52815 23 April 2002 South Suffolk 
			 1 to 30 April 2002   52851 23 April 2002 South Suffolk 
			 1 to 30 April 2002   52816 23 April 2002 South Suffolk 
			 1 to 30 April 2002   52757 23 April 2002 Ryedale 
			 1 to 30 April 2002   52758 23 April 2002 Ryedale 
			 1 to 30 April 2002   52759 23 April 2002 Ryedale 
		
	
	In addition, there are a further 30 questions which were tabled to us at the end of April with answers due in May.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Small Business Sector

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the effect the measures announced in the Budget will have on enterprise in the small business sector.

Nigel Griffiths: The Budget will benefit the small business sector through a new zero starting rate and a reduced small company rate for corporation tax; VAT and payroll simplification measures; a new Community Investment Tax Credit, and a range of other measures which are making Britain the best place to start and grow a business.

Lisbon Agenda

Wayne David: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on how the Lisbon agenda is being pursued following the Barcelona summit.

Patricia Hewitt: The conclusions agreed at Barcelona registered solid progress on the economic reform agenda.
	I will be ensuring that the Department delivers on the Government's Lisbon commitments.

Broadband

Huw Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps she is taking to assist the roll-out of broadband infrastructure in Monmouthshire.

Douglas Alexander: The UK online annual report in November 2001 set out the Government's strategy for making the broadband market more extensive and competitive.
	Last month BT announced its intention to enable a further 100 telephone exchanges, including in Monmouth, to deliver ADSL services.

Broadband

Richard Bacon: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on progress towards the Government's target for broadband access.

Douglas Alexander: The UK online annual report (November 2001) assessed the UK's progress in developing an extensive and competitive broadband market.
	Since then, take-up has risen to above 500,000 customers, while coverage has increased with 100 further telephone exchanges now due to be enabled to provide broadband services.

Broadband

John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many homes and businesses have a broadband connection.

Douglas Alexander: The UK now has over half a million broadband connections. This represents a 54 per cent. increase since the beginning of 2002.
	BT's commitment to broadband and their recent price reductions, together with the successful broadband programmes of the cable companies, pave the way for further advances on broadband during 2002.

Workplace Management

Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what she is doing to promote among all companies the common characteristics shared by what she considers the best managed workplaces in the UK.

Alan Johnson: We recognise the importance of good people strategies as key drivers of productivity improvement.
	That is why my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State recently announced a £20 million package of support to champion best practice in work organisation, which will:
	expand the Partnership Fund
	extend the reach of the Industry Forum activity
	enhance the Fit for the Future Best Practice Campaign
	support the "100 best companies to work for" list.

Rural Communities (Utilities)

Peter Bradley: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assistance her Department provides to rural communities wishing to secure connections to the principal utilities.

Douglas Alexander: Gas, electricity and telephone connections are a contractual matter between consumers and companies within the individual industries, and are not subsidised by the DTI. Companies providing connections are subject to the relevant provisions of primary and secondary legislation, which are designed to encourage connections.
	Universal telecoms providers are required to provide a connection to anyone who reasonably requests it. Electricity distribution networks are required to provide and maintain a connection to any customer requiring electricity within their area. Gas transporters are required to connect all properties within 23 metres of an existing main.

Steel

Hywel Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the operation of European safeguards introduced to protect the British steel industry.

Patricia Hewitt: The Government will stand by our steel industry and communities in combating the unjustified and deeply regrettable action by the United States. We pressed for and welcome the introduction from 29 March of provisional safeguard measures to protect the UK and EU industry against diversion of trade from the US. We also fully support the action taken by the European Commission in initiating World Trade Organisation action against the US.

Steel

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent consultations she has had with the steel industry.

Patricia Hewitt: I have had a number of consultations with steel companies and key organisations representing the steel industry recently. These discussions have focused on US actions to restrict steel imports.

Advantage West Midlands

David Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions she has had with Advantage West Midlands about promoting Telford as a business location.

Alan Johnson: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has met recently the board of Advantage West Midlands, to discuss region-wide issues such as manufacturing and the region's proposal to become a manufacturing beacon; clearly this will have an impact on Telford.
	My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and other DTI Ministers also attend frequent meetings of the RDA chairs, including Advantage West Midlands, where a wide range of issues is discussed, including its broadband and technology cluster proposals.

Energywatch

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures she has put in place to monitor the effectiveness of Energywatch.

Patricia Hewitt: Energywatch is subject to formal and informal in-year monitoring by DTI. The impact that Energywatch has had and the benefits it has delivered against its main aims are measured against its performance indicators. The indicators for 2001–02 were published in 2001 in the document "Measuring Up", and Energywatch's performance against them will be set out in its annual report for 2001–02. Those for 2002–03 are included in the document "What We Plan To Do, Year 2", Energywatch's forward work programme for 2002–03.

Energy

Michael Jack: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when her Department will respond to the performance and innovation unit report on future energy provisions.

Patricia Hewitt: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given earlier today to the hon. Member for Vale of York (Miss McIntosh).

Corporate Social Responsibility

John MacDougall: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of companies have adopted corporate social responsibility policies; and if she will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: There is no single measure for the proportion of companies that have adopted corporate social responsibility (CSR) policies. However, 76 per cent. of FTSE 100 companies currently publish information on their social, human rights and environmental performance. In addition, 83 per cent. of companies that feature in the FTSE all-share index are now represented in the FTSE 4Good indices, which reflect the performance on equities regarded as socially responsible.
	It is currently estimated that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) make a social contribution of up to £3 billion per annum.
	The Government will publish their second report on CSR on 14 May, which is designed to drive forward the CSR agenda and encourage more businesses to initiate their own CSR policies.

Digital Broadcasting

Jackie Lawrence: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures she is taking to guarantee the future of all three platforms for delivery of digital broadcasting.

Douglas Alexander: The Digital Television Action Plan sets out a wide range of tasks to be undertaken by Government and stakeholders in order to achieve our aim for the UK to have the most dynamic and competitive market for digital TV in the G7, and to enable us to meet the criteria set for the switchover from analogue to digital terrestrial transmissions. The action plan is based on our commitment to enabling consumers to have a choice, wherever possible, of the means by which they access their digital services. Where Government have a principal role to play, as in ensuring that the digital terrestrial platform has sufficient spectrum available to it to enable it to compete effectively, we will do so. However, it is up to the broadcasters and others involved in the provision of digital television services to make the most of what each platform can offer.

Coal Aid Scheme

Paddy Tipping: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions she has held with EU partners about a replacement coal aid scheme.

Patricia Hewitt: This issue was discussed at the last Energy Council on 5 December last year, attended by my hon Friend the Minister of State for Industry and Construction. There have since been a number of discussions, at official level, in the Council Energy Working Group.

BCCI

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the meeting between the hon. Member for Leicester, East and the Parliamentary Under-Secretary at her Department on 17 April concerning BCCI.

Melanie Johnson: I met my hon. Friend the Member for Leicester, East together with Mr. Clarke, Mr. Malik and Mr. Qayyum on 17 April to discuss the progress of the liquidation of Bank of Credit and Commerce International SA. I am grateful to my hon. Friend and his colleagues for bringing me up to date with their concerns.

National Insurance

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will estimate the cost in the next 12 months of the Budget changes to employers' national insurance contributions to (a) her Department, (b) agencies of her Department and (c) local government carrying out functions within the responsibility of her Department, (d) industry, (e) manufacturing industry, (f) aerospace industries, (g) small businesses and (h) self-employed people.

Patricia Hewitt: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary on 29 April 2002, Official Report, column 544W.

Scientific Research

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on her action to promote scientific research in the UK, with special reference to research and development spending, training, investment and independent advice.

Patricia Hewitt: Scientific research lies at the heart of this Government's policies to stimulate innovation and economic development, and to improve the quality of life. The Science and Innovation White Paper—"Excellence and Opportunity: A science and innovation policy for the 21st century"—was published in July 2000. It set out our strategy for building on the UK's record of scientific excellence, and for ensuring that outputs from scientific research are harnessed in innovative products and services that will yield economic and social benefits for the people of the UK.
	The following are among the actions we are taking to promote scientific research in the UK:
	An increase in total Government investment in Science, Engineering and Technology in real terms of almost 11 per cent. from 2000–01 to £7.6 billion in 2003–04.
	The creation of two tax credits specifically to encourage greater levels of R&D in the UK. The first is aimed at SMEs and offers a 50 per cent. super-deduction on all qualifying R&D, while the Chancellor announced in his recent Budget that to complement the SME Credit, a new straight volume Tax Credit will now be offered to large companies which will benefit from a 25 per cent. super-deduction on all qualifying R&D expenditure.
	We have increased the funding available for postgraduate researchers and are actively encouraging better practice in managing and developing research staff. The Government are considering how to take forward the recently published review by Sir Gareth Roberts on the training of scientists and engineers.
	Our work on the development of strategic priorities for the Research Councils, acting together as Research Councils UK, will serve to increase the relevance of scientific research in the UK and encourage further investment in it.
	The Government are committed to improving the ways it obtains scientific advice and communicates developments in science and science policy. It has published a Code of Practice for Scientific Advisory Committees, and Guidelines 2000 which set out best practice for the use of scientific advice in policy making.

Business Contacts

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what occasions in the last 12 months she has lobbied in other countries in support of specific contracts; and with what results.

Patricia Hewitt: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on 26 April 2002, Official Report, column 490W.

BP

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in what work Mr. Bob Saunders will be involved at her Department while on secondment from BP.

Patricia Hewitt: holding answer 29 April 2002
	Mr. Saunders will work in Oil and Gas Directorate and will deal with downstream oil industry issues. The specific duties include contributing to policy development and briefing on the downstream oil sector including questions of security of supply, fuel quality, air and water quality and fuelling of vehicles in the longer term.
	The secondment will be subject to contractual terms and conditions, including provisions on avoidance of conflict of interest.

Disabled Access

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what adjustments have been made to her Department's premises following the introduction of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995; and what the cost of these adjustments was as a proportion of the Department's budget.

Patricia Hewitt: holding answer 29 April 2002
	My Department is committed to ensuring compliance with the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act. My Department has used the Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation to provide specialist advice on how its premises and facilities can be enhanced for people with disabilities. Whenever new works or refurbishment projects are undertaken in premises controlled by the Department the requirements of people with disabilities using the premises are taken into account. Where the Department is a minor occupier of premises we work with the premises landlord to ensure compliance where practicable. Examples include induction loop systems in reception areas; tactile marking, handrails and ramps; low level embossed call buttons and voice announcements in lifts; counters designed to aid wheelchair users; automatically opening doors.
	My Department also has an accommodation focus group for staff with disabilities to discuss their concerns and requirements. For example staff have been supplied with specialist furniture, specialist display screen equipment for those with visual impairments; voice activated personal computers; and teledata fire alarm paging systems.
	My Department does not keep a separate record of all such adjustments or their cost. To produce such information could be done only at disproportionate cost.

Telephone Systems (Hampshire and Isle of Wight)

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  if she will instigate an inquiry into the service level of the telephone system in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight on 25 April and its impact on emergency services;
	(2)  what investigation has taken place into the level of service of the telephone system in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight on 25 April and its impact on emergency services.

Douglas Alexander: I understand that at 18.30 on Thursday 25 April a fault occurred in the equipment at the Southampton Bargate BT telephone exchange. As a result a large number of customers across a wide area in Hampshire, Wiltshire and the Isle of Wight were affected involving the loss of their telephone service including access to the 999 emergency services. BT worked to restore service as quickly as possible and to mitigate the impact on the emergency services including the police. Services were restored to some 80 per cent. of customers by midnight and all others by 03:55 am the following morning.
	Oftel is urgently investigating the causes of this failure and considering what measures should be put in place to avoid it happening again. I have asked the Director General to write to the hon. Member as soon as possible, and to keep me informed.

Aerospace Industry

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations she has made to the Treasury on the review of the Export Credits Guarantee Department on the impact of changes to the ECGD on the competitiveness of the UK aerospace industry.

Patricia Hewitt: DTI and Treasury Ministers meet regularly to consider progress on the programme of work being carried out to strengthen ECGD's risk management systems and evaluate its contribution to the competitiveness of the UK economy. ECGD plays an important role in supporting the UK's aerospace industry and is currently seeking views from customers, including those in the aerospace sector, on the economic benefits it generates.

Older Women

Joan Humble: To ask the Minister what assessment she has made of the contribution that women aged over 50 years make to UK prosperity.

Patricia Hewitt: Almost 2.4 million women in their 50s are in work. They make up 20 per cent. of the female working population and 9 per cent. of total working population. The New Deal 50 plus has helped over 19,000 women off benefits and back into work since its launch in April 2000.

Returning to Work

Richard Bacon: To ask the Minister if she will make a statement on the steps she is taking to help mothers return to work.

Patricia Hewitt: We are taking a number of steps. These include introducing, as part of the Employment Bill which is currently before Parliament, a new duty for employers to seriously consider requests for flexible working from parents of young children and improvements to maternity leave and pay. We are also taking forward a range of other measures such as investment in child care, working families tax credit, the New Deal for Lone Parents, the New Deal for Partners, and increased access to adult education.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

Press Office

Simon Burns: To ask the Solicitor-General what the total cost of running the Department's press office was in (a) 1996–97 and (b) the latest year for which figures are available.

Harriet Harman: holding answer 9 April 2002
	The single press officer who acts for both my own Department, the Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers, and the Treasury Solicitor's Department also acts as Private Secretary to the Attorney-General. Costs incurred in relation to the press office aspect of the post cannot be separately calculated.
	No figures are available for the total cost of running the Crown Prosecution Service's press office in 1996–97. The total cost in 2000–01 (the latest year for which figures are available) was £205,269.
	The cost of running the press office of the Serious Fraud Office in 1996–97 was £170,439. The figure for 2001–02, which is provisional, is £201,003.

User Consultation

John Bercow: To ask the Solicitor-General what new steps her Department took in 2001–02 to consult the users of its services about their wishes and expectations; and if he will publish the findings.

Harriet Harman: holding answer 10 April 2002
	The Treasury Solicitor's Department has carried out an extensive consultation exercise with clients in the course of the Quinquennial Review of the Department. The findings were reported and published by the Attorney-General on 3 May 2001. In addition, the Treasury Solicitor's Department carried out annual client satisfaction surveys which seek client Departments' views on the legal service it provides and whether those services meet their expectations. These surveys figure among the SDA targets for the Treasury Solicitor's Department, progress on which will be published in the Department's 2002 departmental report.
	The Treasury Solicitor's Department has also recently adopted a client care policy at the core of which is regular contact and discussion with recipients of the legal services they provide.
	The concept of user service satisfaction is not easily applicable to the duties of my own Department, the Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers, the primary function of which is to give legal advice to Government, or to the prosecuting authorities, the Crown Prosecution Service and the Serious Fraud Office. However, in relation to the CPS, following the recommendation made at the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry that the CPS should communicate information about its casework decisions direct to victims rather than the police, the CPS launched its Direct Communication with Victims (DCV) scheme in October 2000. Under this scheme the CPS provides reasons to victims whenever it either drops or alters a charge substantially and, in certain cases, it offers to meet face to face to give a fuller explanation if required. In this way the CPS is able to take into account the wishes and expectations of its users.

UK Crown Prosecutions

Harry Cohen: To ask the Solicitor-General what criteria the CPS uses in determining whether to seek to prosecute in the UK courts, UK nationals accused of committing serious offences abroad; and if she will make a statement.

Harriet Harman: holding answer 25 April 2002
	In most cases foreign states would normally prosecute offences committed within their own jurisdiction.
	The general rule is that the English courts do not accept jurisdiction where UK nationals commit offences outside England and Wales in the absence of express provisions to the contrary. Some of these statutory exceptions are:
	Homicide as set out in sections 9 and 10 of the Offences against the Person Act 1861. A British subject therefore, who, in a foreign country, within the dominion of a foreign power, murders either a British subject or a foreigner is triable in England under the express provisions of this section.
	Offences of dishonesty and blackmail contrary to sections 1–6 of the Criminal Justice Act 1993.
	Conspiracy, incitement and attempt to commit the offences listed in the Criminal Justice Act 1993.
	Sex Offenders Act 1997.
	Part 12 of the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001, which applies to offences committed on or after 14 February 2002, extends the ambit of the present offences under common law and statute by making it explicit that they cover both the bribery and corruption of foreign public officials and of those in the private sector when committed wholly abroad. It also extends the jurisdiction of the United Kingdom to include acts committed by UK nationals and companies abroad.
	All such cases are reviewed in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors. The Crown Prosecutor must first be satisfied that there is enough evidence to provide
	"a realistic prospect of conviction". If the case passes the evidential test the Crown Prosecutor then has to consider whether a prosecution is required in the public interest. The code gives examples of public interest factors both for and against prosecution but this is not an exhaustive list. A prosecution will usually take place unless there are public interest factors tending against prosecution, which clearly outweigh those tending in favour.
	However, there is often the need to recognise the fact that the foreign state in which the offence was committed may either want or intend to prosecute the UK national for the same offence. This can necessitate discussion between the judicial authorities in the UK and abroad. Such factors as where the victims and witnesses reside and the views of the victim are also taken into account.

Ministerial Training

John Bercow: To ask the Solicitor-General how much has been spent by her Department on voice coaching for Ministers and officials in each of the last five years.

Harriet Harman: holding answer 26 April 2002
	Nothing.

Ministerial Training

John Bercow: To ask the Solicitor-General how much has been spent by her Department on training by the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts for Ministers and officials in each of the last five years.

Harriet Harman: holding answer 26 April 2002
	Nothing.

Young People

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Solicitor-General on what subjects and on which dates her Department has recently consulted organisations representing young people; and if she will list such organisations.

Harriet Harman: holding answer 30 April 2002
	The Departments for which the Attorney-General is responsible have not formally consulted any organisations representing young people. However, the Crown Prosecution Service has worked with the following groups on youth justice issues: Nacro Youth Crime section, SOVA, the Michael Sieff Foundation, Schools Out!, the Children's Society, youth offender teams and Connexions.

Ronald Maddison

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Solicitor-General if she will place in the Library a copy of the request from Her Majesty's Coroner for Wiltshire and Swindon for a fresh inquest into the death of Ronald Maddison.

Harriet Harman: Following requests for and availability of further information, HM Coroner for Wiltshire and Swindon recently completed an application to the Attorney-General for authority to apply for a fresh inquest into the death of Ronald Maddison. That application was granted on 16 April 2002. The next stage is for the coroner to apply to the High Court for a fresh inquest. If the High Court grants the application, the coroner will hold the fresh inquest with a jury. If that is the case, the jury should reach a verdict on the evidence received at the inquest, free from prejudice. I am not satisfied that publication of the request made by the coroner would not prejudice a jury if there were to be a fresh inquest and therefore I do not consider it to be appropriate to place a copy of the coroner's request in the Library. The coroner shares my view. The facts will be fully canvassed at the inquest if the application is granted.

CPS

David Lepper: To ask the Solicitor-General when the annual report by HM chief inspector of the Crown Prosecution Service for 2000–01 will be published.

Harriet Harman: The report was laid before Parliament today and will be published tomorrow. It reports on the performance of the Crown Prosecution Service in the period from 1 October 2000 to 30 September 2001.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Victor Bout

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent developments there have been concerning Victor Bout.

Denis MacShane: There have been two recent important developments. On 15 April 2002 the UK publication Air Cargo News published an article which alleges that Victor Bout had been involved in the supply of an aircraft for Osama bin Laden in 1995. Prior to 11 September this aircraft had reportedly been frequently overflying Iran from Saudi Arabia to Kabul and Kandahar in Afghanistan. It is now reportedly parked at Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. I shall be asking that the United Nations investigate this very serious allegation as a matter of great importance.
	Following our past approaches to the UAE on the subject of Victor Bout, and the issuing of an international arrest warrant by the Belgian authorities, I am pleased to welcome a recent announcement by the Government of the United Arab Emirates. They have informed the United Nations Angola Monitoring Mechanism that Bout's companies, ie Air Cess and Trans Avia, have been prohibited from operating in the United Arab Emirates. He has also been banned from entering the United Arab Emirates personally.
	I hope that this increased international pressure on Bout will finally result in the end of his sanctions-busting activities and that he will be brought to justice. The UK has played a leading role in drawing international attention to Bout's illegal activities, initially in Angola and Liberia and more recently relating to Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda.

Iraq

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of unaccounted for stocks of Iraqi precursor chemicals, chemical agent and special munitions, based on the findings of the UN Special Commission.

Jack Straw: In answer to questions on 12 March 2002, Official Report, columns 743–45, I said that weapons inspectors were unable to account for 4,000 tonnes of so-called precursor chemicals used in the production of weapons; 610 tonnes of precursor chemicals used in the production of nerve gas; and 31,000 chemical weapons munitions.
	This information was the best available at the time, and was based on Iraqi declarations to UNSCOM inspectors between 1991–98 and data contained in an UNSCOM report published in 1999.
	Since I gave this answer, Her Majesty's Government have carried out a more detailed study. This latest assessment of the quantities of material unaccounted for by UNSCOM inspectors which has potential applications in Iraq's chemical and biological weapons programmes is as follows:
	Up to 3,000 tonnes of precursor chemicals, approximately 300 tonnes of which, in the Iraqi CW programme, were unique to the production of VX nerve agent;
	Up to 360 tonnes of bulk CW agent including 1.5 tonnes of VX; and
	Over 30,000 special munitions for delivery of chemical and biological agents;
	Large quantities of growth media acquired for use in the production of biological weapons—enough to produce over three times the amount of anthrax Iraq admits to having manufactured.
	These figures represent our latest assessment. This assessment is subject to continual review in the light of any updates from UNMOVIC or incoming intelligence reports. Some of the estimates are unchanged. The changes we have made do not alter our view on the scale of the Iraqi WMD threat. Indeed, they reinforce our judgment that Iraq's chemical and biological capabilities are substantial and a very real danger to the region and the wider world. We shall be releasing further material about this threat in due course.

Uganda

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations Her Majesty's Government have made to the Government of Uganda about human rights with specific reference to the conduct of the police towards opposition supporters at a rally in Kampala on 12 January; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: We follow closely the human rights situation in Uganda and regularly raise our concerns with the Ugandan authorities. We also have regular contact with the Ugandan Human Rights Commission and other HR interest groups such as the Foundation for Human Rights Initiative.
	We take seriously reports of human rights abuses, such as harassment of the opposition. Unfortunately, the 12 January rally resulted in the death of a student. Three policemen were arrested in connection with the incident, but were subsequently released pending further investigation. The high commission continues regularly to stress to the Ugandan authorities the need for effective action to bring those responsible for this death to justice.

Gibraltar

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on referring the issue of self-determination of the Gibraltar people to the International Court of Justice for an advisory opinion.

Peter Hain: I refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton, North-East (Mr. Crausby) on 6 November 2001, Official Report, column 121W.

Gibraltar

Richard Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Derby, North on 11 April 2002, Official Report, column 525W, on Gibraltar, whether the sums mentioned that Gibraltar is to receive under European Union structural funding are in pounds or euros.

Peter Hain: The sums referred to are Gibraltar's Structural Fund allocations in euros.

Racism

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 1 March 2002, Official Report, column 1638W, on racism, what further progress has been made in consultation with NGOs in drawing up a national action plan to ensure UK-wide follow-through in line with the action plan drawn up by the UN World Conference on Racism in Durban in September 2001; when he plans to publish a draft action plan for consultation; what events he is considering to discuss this plan; and what measures he will take to ensure the engagement of the devolved regions in this process.

Angela Eagle: I have been asked to reply.
	Responsibility for taking this work forward falls to the Home Office. A working group of representatives from all interested Departments, including the devolved Administrations, is being established with a view to drawing up a national action plan by early summer. This will be done in close consultation with an non-governmental organisation (NGO) steering group which has been specifically set up for that purpose.
	Much of the work recommended in the World Conference Programme of Action is already being undertaken or planned in United Kingdom. We are in the process of mapping out the extent of this work to identify any gaps. We are also considering with the NGO steering group plans for a national consultation exercise to discuss the draft action plan, culminating in a national conference in the autumn.

TREASURY

Civil Servants

Paul Flynn: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many civil servants were employed in each of the past 10 years; and what changes have taken place in real terms in their total remuneration.

Andrew Smith: holding answer 11 February 2002
	The Office for National Statistics Annual Abstract of Statistics 2002 (ISSN 0072 5730) gives consistent historical data on civil service staff numbers. Numbers for paybill costs within departmental administration costs limits are given in table 5.1 of PESA 2001–02 (Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses, Cm 5101). These are not precisely comparable with civil service staff numbers statistics, as civil servants in the devolved Administrations are excluded, and casual and other non-civil service staff on departmental payrolls are included.

Aerospace Industry

Iris Robinson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact on the competitiveness of the UK aerospace industry of recent changes to the Export Credits Guarantee Department.

Andrew Smith: The recent changes to the Large Aircraft Sector Understanding (LASU) scheme, under which ECGD provides support for the UK aerospace industry, were made as a result of a 1999 economic study undertaken by ECGD. These changes were delayed to allow time for ECGD to move in concert with its French and German counterparts. The Government are fully committed to supporting in the most effective way possible the competitiveness of all UK companies, including those in the aerospace sector, who will constitute some of the major beneficiaries of the new R&D tax credit announced in the Budget.

Pension Contribution Holidays

Dave Watts: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will amend the pension rules to remove the ability of companies to take contribution holidays from their employees' pension scheme.

Ruth Kelly: In general, contributions to occupational schemes are determined by the trustees' view of the funding position of the scheme and its likely needs. The Government have no plans to amend the tax rules governing the taking of employer contribution holidays from occupational pension schemes.

Pornographic Films

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether film tax relief is available for pornographic films made in the UK (a) before and (b) after the restrictions on film tax relief introduced in the April 2002 Budget; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave him on 1 May.

Revenue

Howard Flight: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list in cash terms (a) at 2002–03 prices and (b) and as a percentage of gross domestic product, the net taxes and social security contributions for each year since 1996–97, incorporating the accounting changes referred to in Box C2 of the Budget Red Book 2002.

Andrew Smith: Historical figures for net taxes and social security contributions as a percentage of GDP, consistent with the new OECD classification of personal tax credits, are set out in Table C23 of Budget 2002. An estimate of this ratio for 2001–02 and projections for 2002–03 onwards are shown in Table C10.

Vehicle Seizures

Barbara Follett: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if HM Customs and Excise will change its vehicle seizure policy in relation to alcohol and tobacco smuggling as a result of the Court of Appeal decision in the Lindsay case.

Paul Boateng: The Court of Appeal confirmed in the Lindsay case that Customs vehicle seizure and non- restoration policy in relation to those who smuggle alcohol and tobacco for profit was justified and proportionate. It also confirmed that vehicles used to smuggle on a non-profit basis were similarly liable to seizure. However, the Court considered that in not-for- profit cases a proportionate response, depending on the individual circumstances, would be to offer to restore such seized vehicles.
	Accordingly when Customs detect commercial for profit smugglers, any vehicles used in such smuggling will remain subject to the existing tough seizure and non-restoration policy. However, Customs have now further developed their vehicle seizure policy, taking into account the clarification provided by the Court of Appeal. When Customs detect not-for-profit smugglers their goods and vehicles will be seized but vehicle restoration will ordinarily be offered in the first instance for a sum equivalent to the revenue evaded. There will be a rising scale for any subsequent offences up to non-restoration. Customs will reserve the right to vary their restoration terms according to the aggravating or mitigating circumstances of any individual case.
	This policy will allow Customs to continue their successful approach of hitting those who smuggle for profit with tough sanctions that strike at their illicit trade and also provides a real and proportionate penalty for those who break the law, albeit without such profit- making motivation. It represents a fair and balanced policy.

Scotland Office

Jacqui Lait: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the implication of his Budget statement for the Scotland Office DEL.

Andrew Smith: The Scotland Office provision (non-devolved) will be determined in the spending review within the overall Scotland DEL provision to be determined in the spending review. The increases in the Scottish Executive's (devolved) budget in 2003–04 to 2007–08 as a consequence of the increases in health spending announced for England are £224 million, £858 million, £1,576 million, £2,341 million and £3,201 million.

Property Prices

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what projected change in property prices underlies the revenue assumptions in Table C8 of the Financial Statement and Budget report 2002; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Smith: The revenue forecasts in Table C8 of the FSBR are based on house price data calculated by taking the arithmetic average of the DTLR, Nationwide and Halifax indices available at the time of the Budget. Following this, house prices inflation is projected to moderate towards its long run relationship with earnings, as explained in paragraph B54 of the Financial Statement and Budget Report 2002. Forecasts for house prices are not published.

Projected Revenues

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the reasons are for the change in projected revenues from (a) air passenger duty and (b) capital taxes since the Budget of 2001 shown in Table C8 of the Financial Statement and Budget report 2002; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Boateng: The change in projected revenues for APD was announced in the pre-Budget report 2001. There are a number of reasons for this change. Last year's global economic slowdown had significant effect on passenger numbers and this was exacerbated by the tragedies on 11 September. There has also been a trend towards economy class travel to European destinations, which are generally charged at the lowest rate of APD. This is attributed in part to the success of the low cost airlines.
	Explanations of the changes in forecast receipts for capital taxes since the Budget of 2001 are given in paragraphs B48 of the pre-Budget report, November 2001 and C45 of the Financial Statement and Budget Report, April 2002.

Mental Health Services

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the (a) costs and (b) savings to HM Treasury in developing a modern mental health service.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 25 March 2002
	I have been asked to reply.
	The Wanless Final Report estimated the costs of developing a world class service at some £3.1 billion per annum, and the net savings across government at £3.1 billion per annum. The Department is studying the Wanless Report with great interest and it will be an important source of analysis and information in the allocation of resources to the service.

Computer Terminals

Jim Cousins: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many on-line computer terminals were available in each division of Customs and Excise in each of the last three years; what assessment was made of system reliability; and who the providers of the IT system were.

Paul Boateng: The following number of on-line computer terminals were available to Customs and Excise in the last three financial year:
	31 March 2000—18,502
	31 March 2001—19,669
	31 March 2002—23,130.
	On 31 March 2000 responsibility (and ownership) for desktop and laptop computers passed to ICL (now Fujitsu Services) under a PFI contract. Responsibility for the IT system mainframes remains with Customs and Excise. Mainframe services are provided by in-house staff using mainframes, which have been purchased from Fujitsu.
	Since the transfer of ownership to Fujitsu Services the level of service has been jointly monitored on a monthly basis. Although there were inevitable teething problems during national roll out/hand over, service standards have improved significantly in recent months and the monthly service report for March 2002 records a high level of service in nearly all areas.
	Given major organisational changes within HMCE over the last three years a detailed breakdown of computer availability by division is not available in this format.

Climate Change Levy

Sue Doughty: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the total cost to the Treasury will be (a) at the outset of its introduction and (b) projected in the next three years of (i) an exemption from the Climate Change Levy of fuel used in dual-use purposes and (ii) extending relief to certain processes to certain processes which compete with those benefiting from the dual-use or non-fuel use exemptions; what steps (A) have and (B) will be taken to introduce such exemptions; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Boateng: The dual-use exemption is an integral part of the levy's design and is taken account of in published climate change levy forecasts. Customs have been considering which processes the new exemption will apply to and will be consulting industry and other Government Departments shortly for their views on which processes should benefit, with a view to introducing the exemption at the earliest opportunity. The cost of extending the exemption is expected to be negligible, but will be subject to the definition being finalised.

Parliamentary Questions

Tim Yeo: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the written questions asked of him between (a) 1 to 30 June 2001, (b) 1 to 31 July 2001, (c) 1 to 30 September 2001, (d) 1 to 31 October 2001, (e) 1 to 30 November 2001, (f) 1 to 31 December 2001, (g) 1 to 31 January 2002, (h) 1 to 28 February 2002, (i) 1 to 31 March 2002 and (j) 1 to 30 April 2002 that had not received a substantive answer by 30 April; and if he will state (i) the name of the hon. Member asking the question and (ii) the reasons the question had not received a substantive answer.

Paul Boateng: 3,255 of the 4,205 (77.4 per cent.) written questions tabled to Treasury Ministers in the present parliamentary Session up to 30 April received substantive replies on or before the dates on which answers were due. Answers have not yet been given to 36 questions, but in 14 of these cases the answers are not overdue.

Energy Efficiency

Sue Doughty: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the total cost to the Treasury will be (a) at the outset of its introduction and (b) projected in the next three years of the extension of the 5 per cent. rate of VAT to apply to the grant-funded installation of (i) factory-insulated hot water tanks, (ii) micro-combined heat and power and (iii) renewable energy heating systems in the homes of the less well-off.

Paul Boateng: The cost of the reduced rate of VAT for these grant-funded installations at the outset of its introduction and over the next three years will be negligible.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

"Agriculture in the United Kingdom"

Bill Tynan: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the latest volume of "Agriculture in the United Kingdom" will be published.

Margaret Beckett: Agriculture in the United Kingdom 2001 will be published on Friday 3 May. Copies of this report will be available from the Libraries of the House on that day. It will also be available in electronic form from DEFRA's website at www.defra.gov.uk/esg.m–publications.htm.

EU Funding

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if it is the policy of her Department to claim the outstanding agrimony compensation from the European Commission; and if she will make a statement.

Margaret Beckett: We have considered the case for payment of optional agrimonetary compensation to the livestock sector. While we acknowledge the difficulties that the sector is facing and are working with them on the recommendations of the Policy Commission on Food and Farming, we have decided not to make a claim on these funds given the many competing demands on the Exchequer at present.

Water Bill

Bill Tynan: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the Government will publish its response to the draft Water Bill consultation; and if she will make a statement.

Michael Meacher: The Government response to the draft Water Bill consultation is being published today. It considers issues raised by over 150 respondents. Copies of the response are being placed in the Library.
	There was general support for the aims of the Bill, although there were inevitably differences regarding a number of the proposals. The main changes that will be in the Bill as a result of the consultation are:
	Ofwat will be governed by a Regulatory Board rather than an individual Director General, along similar lines to other economic regulators. This is instead of the Advisory Panel proposed in the draft Bill.
	Ofwat's duty to ensure that water companies are able to secure reasonable returns on their capital will now be retained.
	The draft Water Bill contains provisions in the broad areas of water resource management and better regulations as well as other specific provisions. In particular the draft Bill contains:
	reform of water abstraction licensing to provide new powers to protect the environment and manage water resources more effectively and a requirement on water companies to prepare drought plans and conserve water;
	amendment of the regulatory framework to improve the position of consumers and improve regulatory certainty, and in particular to set up a new, independent Consumer Council for Water;
	reform of the drinking water regulatory regime to cope with industry restructuring and the possible effects of the Competition Act 1998 giving the Drinking Water Inspectorate greater status, and increasing the level of fines that magistrates can impose; and
	improvement of the regime for controlling polluting discharges, and rationalisation of arrangements for reservoir safety and the regulation of water, sewerage and contaminated land.
	The Government response to the draft Water Bill consultation reflects the Government's continued commitment to placing consumers at the heart of regulation and ensuring environmental sustainability in the water industry.
	We aim to introduce the Bill as soon as parliamentary time allows.

Meat Imports

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on recent changes to the regulations on meat imports; and what action her Department has taken since February 2001 to prevent the import of illegal meat into the UK.

Elliot Morley: We amended legislation on 1 May 2001 to make it easier for local authorities to take action where meat, which could have been imported illegally, is found. Legislation has been laid before Parliament which includes new powers for enforcement officers (already available to customs officers) to search baggage, etc. for illegal imports of animal products.
	Since February 2001 we have taken a range of initiatives aimed at improving our ability to prevent and detect illegal imports of animal products. These initiatives have been co-ordinated by officials in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, but involve other Departments such as HM Customs and Excise and the Food Standards Agency, and the local authorities who are responsible for controls at ports and airports. We have concentrated on raising public awareness of our import rules through our embassies, and strengthening intelligence gathering and sharing to improve targeting of anti-smuggling measures. We also introduced new posters which are displayed at airports and ports to ensure that travellers are aware of the restrictions on what may be imported. On 28 March we published an action plan. This plan commits Government to a range of measures including completing a risk assessment of disease risks posed by illegal imports of meat. The action plan is available in the Library of the House.

Solar Panels

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what buildings owned by her Department have solar panels installed.

Elliot Morley: The Department's animal health office at Bury St. Edmunds has solar panels installed to heat the hot water used on the site.

Rural Proofing Report

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what was the cost of (a) drafting, (b) printing and (c) distributing the rural proofing report drafted by the countryside agency.

Alun Michael: "Rural Proofing in 2001/02—A report to Government by the Countryside Agency", was published by the countryside agency on 11 April. Printing costs were £3,417; distribution costs were about £488 in postage and £563 to load the report onto the agency's website. The costs of drafting the report cannot be separated out from the rest of the agency's work.

Foot and Mouth

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average amount of compensation paid by her Department to individual farmers as the result of the recent foot and mouth disease outbreak was; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: The average amount of compensation paid by the Department to individual farmers is 124,755. A total of 1,050 million has been paid to farmers in compensation for animals slaughtered due to foot and mouth disease.

Foot and Mouth

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what different types of compensation have been paid to farmers by her Department as the result of the recent foot and mouth disease outbreak ; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: There are two types of compensation paid to farmers as a result of the recent outbreak of foot and mouth disease, they are (a) animal compensation for animals slaughtered and (b) non-animal compensation. Non-animal compensation covers cleansing and disinfecting, items seized and destroyed and claims for reinstatement of damaged property.

Foot and Mouth

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much compensation has been paid by her Department to farmers in (a) the Montgomeryshire constituency and (b) Powys as the result of the foot and mouth disease outbreak; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: The statutory amount paid in compensation to farmers in Powys county is 35,601,839.00 this includes payment to farmers in Montgomeryshire. It is difficult to establish the exact amount of compensation paid to particular parts of a county or region.

Foot and Mouth

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the total value was of road haulage contracts for the removal of foot and mouth carcases in Northumberland; what the value was of contracts awarded to Snowie Ltd; and what tendering procedure was used for the awarding of carcase haulage contracts.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 25 March 2002
	The total value of road haulage contracts for the removal of foot and mouth carcases in Northumberland was 2,857,867 excluding VAT. The value of foot and mouth contracts awarded to Snowie up to mid-March 2002 was 37,751,894 excluding VAT. Carcase haulage contracts were awarded through the negotiated procurement procedure without the prior publication of a notice, and by competitive tendering.

Foot and Mouth

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what claims against her Department remain unsettled in respect of damage to roads and infrastructure in Dumfries and Galloway region inflicted during the foot and mouth outbreak.

Elliot Morley: The claim submitted by Dumfries and Galloway council to the Department in respect of damage allegedly caused to roads and infrastructure in the region during operations to control and eradicate foot and mouth disease referred to in the reply to the hon. Member on 11 February 2002, Official Report, columns 8586W, has not been pursued. However, I understand that Writs in respect of such damage have been served on Scottish Ministers in relation to certain operational aspects of disease control and eradication in Scotland.

Foot and Mouth

Russell Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received from (a) the Scottish Executive and (b) Dumfries and Galloway council for the recovery of moneys used by Dumfries and Galloway council for repairs to roads damaged by work associated with the eradication of foot and mouth disease.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 30 April 2002
	Officials of Dumfries and Galloway council, the Scottish Executive and the Department met in January. The matter of the council's wish to recover costs relating to repair of road damage allegedly caused during operations to control and eradicate foot and mouth disease was raised. Subsequently, the council wrote to the Department indicating that it was seeking legal advice. I understand that Writs in respect of such damage have been served on Scottish Ministers. Officials of the Scottish Executive and of the Department are in touch about this.

Pigs

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will estimate the size of the national pig breeding herd in (a) 2001, (b) 2000 and (c) 1999.

Elliot Morley: The June agricultural and horticultural census estimates the size of the pig breeding herd in England was:
	
		
			  Thousand 
		
		
			 (a) 2001 489 
			 (b) 2000 503 
			 (c) 1999 573 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. These data relate to main and minor holdings.
	2. The pig breeding herd comprises sows in pig, gilts in pig and suckled or dry sows being kept for further breeding.

Mr. Robert Watson and Hans Blix

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if the United Kingdom will support (a) Mr. Robert Watson continuing as Chairman of the InterGovernmental Panel on Climate Change and (b) Hans Blix continuing in his post as Head of the UN Monitoring, Inspection and Verification Commission.

Michael Meacher: holding answer 24 April 2002
	In view of Robert Watson's outstanding track record the UK was in favour of his continuation as chair of IPCC. In the event, the IPCC elected Dr. Rajendra Pachauri to the position of chairman.
	The UK supported Hans Blix's appointment as the head of UNMOVIC in 2000. We have every confidence in his continuing chairmanship.

BSE

Paul Tyler: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent studies on the transmissibility of BSE she has commissioned; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 29 April 2002
	Within the past 12 months, DEFRA has commissioned two studies investigating BSE transmission. One is using transgenic mice to assess the relative transmissibility of sheep BSE (and sheep scrapie) and cattle BSE to humans. The second study is following the natural spread of BSE from experimentally infected sheep within a breeding flock to establish whether BSE can transmit to TSE free animals and establish itself within the flock.
	In addition to these projects, one study, which is about to begin, will investigate what effect the age at which sheep are experimentally infected with BSE has on the disease. The Department is also funding a study, under way for the past six years, to assess the possibility of maternal transmission of BSE in sheep.
	Within the past year, no further studies have been commissioned to investigate BSE transmission in cattle.

Regional Advisory Councils

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the conditions for the setting up of regional advisory councils in connection with the Post 2002 Common Fisheries Policy.

Elliot Morley: The Commission's proposals for the future of the Common Fisheries Policy are now expected imminently: we may expect them, if the Commission follows through with the ideas it envisaged in its Green Paper last year, to propose the establishment of regional committees which would comprise a range of stakeholder representatives. The idea of involving stakeholders more closely in management decisions relating to the fisheries in which they are interested is broadly welcome to us: the precise details of what may be adopted will need to be the subject of consultation with interested UK bodies and then negotiations in the Council of Ministers.

Farmers

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of the farm workforce is aged under 35 years in each European Union member nation; and how much financial aid was claimed by each European Union member nation under the EU system of grants and interest rate subsidies to assist young farmers to enter the agriculture industry in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available.

Elliot Morley: The table shows the latest available information from Eurostat (the Statistics Office for the European Community) on the proportion of the agricultural work force aged under 35 years in each member state. It was not obligatory for member states to collect information on ages of all workers in 1993 and 1997.
	
		Proportion of workforce aged under 35 years(3) -- Percentage
		
			 EU member state 198990 1993 1995 1997 
		
		
			 Belgium 20 19 23 21 
			 Denmark 20  31 32 
			 Germany 30 28 27 25 
			 Greece 19 23 18 17 
			 Spain 20  22 22 
			 France 21 21 20 20 
			 Ireland 26 31 30 30 
			 Italy 17 16 15 16 
			 Luxembourg 26 26 25 23 
			 Netherlands 32  32  
			 Austria   31 29 
			 Portugal 30  26 25 
			 Finland   29 29 
			 Sweden   17  
			 United Kingdom 28  24  
			  
			 Total EU12 22  20  
			 Total EU15   21  
		
	
	(3) Excludes non-regular workers (eg seasonal, casual and gang labour)
	Source:
	EC Farm Structure SurveysEurostat
	The EU regulation on rural development, which was implemented in 2000, permits member states to provide funds for the setting-up of young farmers as part of their rural development programmes. Expenditure from the EU budget for these schemes, by member state, is shown in the following table. Prior to 2000 other EU member states may have provided aid to young farmers via structural fund programmes or national schemes. We do not have information on any such schemes or the levels of expenditure.
	
		Rural development programmes EU expenditure on setting up young farmers -- euro million
		
			  2000 2001 
		
		
			 Belgium 0.7 0 
			 Denmark 0 0 
			 Germany 1.0 2.4 
			 Greece 0 0 
			 Spain 1.2 4.7 
			 France 22.8 29.8 
			 Ireland 0 0 
			 Italy 19.5 42.0 
			 Luxembourg 0.1 0.3 
			 Netherlands 0 0 
			 Austria 8.0 8.3 
			 Portugal 0 0 
			 Finland 0 0 
			 Sweden 0.3 0.8 
			 UK 0 0 
			
			 Total EU15 53.6 88.2

Newspaper Advertising

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 26 March 2002, Official Report, column 829W, on newspaper advertising, how many advertisements have been placed in each of the publications listed since 8 June 2001; and what the (a) purpose and (b) result of each advertisement was.

Elliot Morley: Our records show that we booked the following number of advertisements since June 2001.
	
		
			   Number of advertisements 
		
		
			 Regional Papers 78 
			 National Press 8 
			 Magazines 55 
			 Total 141 
		
	
	The purpose of newspaper advertisements is to inform and increase general awareness of the Department's policies, aims, activities and procedures. The advertisements may be aimed at any or all of the general public, stakeholders, industry and special interest groups as well as being directed at potential employees and can be targeted locally, by region, or nationally. Measurement of results can be either subjective or quantifiable, many of the advertisements aim for respondent involvement, some advertisements generate other media coverage thereby achieving a wider dissemination of the message.
	To provide the detail for each advertisement as asked for in the question would incur disproportionate cost.

Staff Pay

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what have been the total salary costs of each of the non-departmental public bodies for which she is responsible in each of the last five years.

Elliot Morley: The information is contained in the annual reports and accounts of the Department's NDPBs, which are laid before Parliament each year. Copies are deposited in the Library of the House.

Rural White Paper

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 30 January 2002, Official Report, column 355W, on the Rural White Paper, what proportion of announced funds and schemes was spent, broken down by category, during 200102.

Alun Michael: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 6 February 2002, Official Report, column 991W, which set out details of the latest available information on expenditure broken down by category.
	Since then I can report the following:
	220 application forms have been issued in respect of the 2 million Government fund to support volunteer and community initiatives to maintain or reopen post office facilities in rural areas. 44 applications worth 375,000 have been approved and the actual amount paid out from September 2001, when the scheme came into operation, to 31 March 2002 is 79,000.
	From April 2001 up to the end of the third quarter, December 2001 Cornwall, Devon, Durham and Lincolnshire partnerships have reported the creation of 8,588 child care places broken down as follows: Durham2,187, Devon2,484, Cornwall2,310, Lincolnshire1,607. Figures up to April 2002 are not yet available.
	The final figures for expenditure in 200102 on Rural Bus Subsidy Grant and Rural Bus Challenge are 41.4 million and 11.2 million respectively, a total of 52.6 million.
	The total outturn for expenditure on the new countryside agency's Vital Villages Grant schemes until 31 March 2002 is: Community Services Grant1.7 million, Parish Plans Fund399,000, Parish Transport Fund354,000. In addition grants worth 5.9 million have been approved under the Rural Transport Partnership fund.

Rural White Paper

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will place the study (a) to identify the key drivers of economic development and social exclusion in rural areas and (b) into rural statistics relating to the Rural White Paper in the Library.

Alun Michael: Both studies have attracted a wide level of interest. Consultation on the economic study of rural areas report is now expected to be complete by early next month. We plan to publish both reports and to place copies in the Library as soon as possible.

Bovine TB

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many farmers were waiting for bovine TB tests, broken down by constituency, in each month since January 2001.

Elliot Morley: The information is not available in the format requested. Raw data show that at the end of March 2002 there were some 2,200 TB tests overdue in the Cornwall Animal Health Office area.
	In context, at the end of March 2002 some 10,500 TB tests were overdue in the west animal health region and some 25,000 overdue in GB.

Bovine TB

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of changes to the geographical incidence of reported cases of bovine TB in herds in the last five years; and what impact this has had on the deployment of her Department's bovine TB testing and control resources.

Elliot Morley: In the last five years the known higher incidence areas, such as Cornwall, Devon and Gloucestershire in the south and west of England and south and mid-Wales, have seen increases in the number of incidents of bovine TB. In addition to these, new areas of infection have been identified in Derbyshire and Staffordshire. The restart of TB testing after the foot and mouth disease outbreak has disclosed an increase in incidents in the areas with higher incidence of bovine TB. Outside of these areas it is not yet clear whether the scattered incidents come from movement of infected cattle or new foci of disease.
	As herds with bovine TB are identified greater veterinary resource is targeted to testing herds in the surrounding area, usually on a parish basis. Currently the greatest deployment of state veterinary resource on bovine TB testing is to be found in the parishes of the south and west of England and the south and west Wales. Most routine TB testing is carried out on behalf of the State Veterinary Service by local veterinary practitioners employed as local veterinary inspectors (LVIs).

Common Fisheries Policy

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proposals the Department has made at EU level to reform the common fisheries policy.

Elliot Morley: The Government set out their views on the future of the common fisheries policy in September 2001, in response to the Commission's Green Paper on the subject.
	Our primary aim must be a policy which is both economically and environmentally sustainable and which offers stakeholders greater involvement in management decisions affecting them. Only in that way will the CFP attract support and credibility from fishermen and so ensure responsible stock management and offer the prospect of a viable future. I strongly agree with the Commission's conclusions in their Green Paper on the operation of the CFP that it is not meeting its objectives. The Commission's actual proposals for the future of the CFP, which we need in order that these vital negotiations can start, are now expected imminently.

Press Subscriptions

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the magazines and periodicals subscribed to by her Department, stating for each subscription the (a) number of copies taken and (b) annual cost.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 26 April 2002
	DEFRA has 1,376 subscriptions which are centrally managed, the annual cost of the centralised subscriptions is 75,816.89.
	There may be local magazine and periodical subscription arrangements for agencies and decentralised budget holders.
	To list the magazines and periodicals and obtain details of the decentralised expenditure for these subscriptions could only be done at a disproportionate cost.

Incinerators (Animal Disposal)

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the names, locations and percentage out of the total number of those commercial incinerators deemed adequate for the disposal of animals following a future animal disease outbreak.

Elliot Morley: Six commercial large-animal incinerators in England and Wales have indicated they are willing to dispose of animals culled under foot and mouth disease control measures. Negotiations and contractual arrangements have yet to be finalised and as a result, the names and locations cannot be disclosed. The total weekly disposal capacity of these six sites is approximately 17,000 sheep or 1,900 cattle.
	At present, as set out in the Interim Contingency Plan, incineration will be the initial preferred disposal route in a disease outbreak, but in the event of escalation, additional disposal routes, including rendering and licensed commercial landfill, will be employed.

Environment Agency

Jack Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether it is the policy of her Department to allow the Environment Agency to (a) reduce the resources devoted to freshwater fisheries and (b) increase expenditure on other aspects of the agency's work; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 29 April 2002
	The controls on financial, staffing and related matters are defined in the Environment Agency Financial Memorandum, prepared by DEFRA and the National Assembly for Wales and agreed with the agency. Revenue from rod and net licence duties, together with this Department's fisheries grant-in-aid are used for salmon and freshwater fisheries purposes only, unless otherwise agreed.

Environment Agency

Jack Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will take steps to ensure that the Environment Agency BRITE proposals do not result in a transfer of funding and manpower from freshwater fisheries activities to other areas of the agency's responsibilities; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 29 April 2002
	I refer my right hon. Friend to the reply I gave him on 18 March 2002, Official Report, column 129W.

Agrimonetary Compensation

Adrian Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average time that agrimonetary compensation payments were overdue in (a) England, (b) the south-west and (c) Somerset was in 200102.

Elliot Morley: Payments of agrimonetary compensation in England due to be made in the financial year 200102 were nearly all made in that period. We have not interrogated the databases necessary to provide details of late payments as this could be done only at disproportionate cost.

Curry Moor, Somerset

Adrian Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when Curry Moor in Somerset was registered as a reservoir; what consultation, and with whom, there was ahead of the registration; what measures were taken to assess the social and environmental impact of the reservoir on Curry Moor; who has responsibility for the reservoir; and whether the reservoir has its completion certificate.

Michael Meacher: I understand that the Curry Moor embankment was built in the 12th century for flood protection. The Environment Agency was granted planning permission in July 1999 to carry out strengthening works to ensure its continuing safety as one of the agency's flood prevention works. These works started in May 2001 and have not yet been completed so no final certificate has been issued by the construction engineer. In recognition of its potential to retain a significant volume of water artificially, Somerset county council, as the enforcement authority for the purposes of the Reservoirs Act 1975, registered the embankment as forming part of a large raised reservoir in March 2002. Registration under the 1975 Act is necessary for all reservoirs which are designed to hold, or are capable of holding, more than 25,000 cubic metres of water above natural ground level. No consultation is required for registration purposes.

Organic Waste

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what recent steps have been taken to encourage composting of organic (a) kitchen and (b) garden waste from (i) domestic and (ii) commercial properties by local authorities;
	(2)  what her Department's (a) national and (b) local targets for (i) domestic and (ii) commercial composting of organic waste are;
	(3)  what funding is available to local authorities to increase levels of composting; and by how much funding has changed for each year since 1997.

Michael Meacher: The Government strongly supports composting as a way of disposing of biodegradable waste, improving soil quality and replacing non-renewable products such as peat. Although the land spreading of composted kitchen/catering waste is currently prohibited under animal health legislation, we are actively encouraging the composting of green wasteat home, at municipal civic amenity sites and when separately collected by local authorities.
	The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) are currently working with the Composting Association to develop the existing industry standard for compost, to achieve British Standards Institute (BSI) accreditation. The delivery of these industry standards for compost will help to create markets for organic waste derived products.
	Targets have been set for England and Wales to recycle or compost at least 25 per cent. of household waste by 2005. This national target is backed up by statutory targets for each local authority in England for 200304 and 200506.
	The 2000 spending review allocated 220 million private finance initiative funding for waste management that can be used to deliver increased recycling/composting rates. It also established a new 140 million household waste and recycling fund to help local authorities meet their statutory performance standards for recycling and composting.
	The principal funding for local authority waste management functions, including composting, is the Environmental Protection and Cultural Services (EPCS) standard spending assessment. The spending review 2000 set the Government's support for local authorities for the three years up to 200304. This included an annual increase in the revenue support to local authorities for environmental protection and cultural services (EPCS). By 200304 this support will have risen by 1.1 billion over the 200001 provision. Consistent with the general local authority financial framework, it is for individual local authorities to decide the proportion of their budget that should be directed to waste management work.
	The average annual increase in the EPCS standard spending assessment block since 199798 has been 3.3 per cent.
	Future funding for local authority waste management will be determined in the 2002 spending review.

Flood Defence

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what future plans there are to increase funding to the Environment Agency for flood defence.

Elliot Morley: This Department provides grant (and supplementary credit approvals to local authorities) to the Environment Agency, local authorities and internal drainage boards for flood and coastal defence capital works in England. The total provision available, and the Environment Agency's share of it, is increasing as shown in the table:
	
		 million 
		
			  200102 Provisional outturn 200203 Allocation 200304 Provision 
		
		
			  
			 Total 91.0 106.0 114.0 
			 
			 Of which:
			 Environment Agency 61.5 65.0 (4) 
		
	
	(4) Not yet allocated
	The provision available for 200304 will be allocated to authorities later this year.
	The other main source of funding for the Environment Agency are levies paid by local authorities. The figures are as follows:
	
		
			   million 
		
		
			 200102 233.7 
			 200203 247.8 
			 200304 (5) 
		
	
	(5) To be decided in early 2003
	Funding levels for future years will be considered in this year's spending review.

Rural Areas (Budget)

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the effect of the Budget on rural areas.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 23 April 2002
	Many of the measures in the Budget will benefit rural areas. In particular rural businesses are overwhelmingly small businesses and the Budget measures aimed at helping small businesses will benefit rural areas. The commitments given on increased benefits for health care and education will also help rural areas, as will the decision to exempt the provision of employer-subsidised bus services from tax. Measures to support neighbourhood renewal and to help disadvantaged areas, for example the abolition of stamp duty on non-residential property transfers in those areas, will also help the relatively few rural districts suffering severe social deprivation.

Battery Farming

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she intends to ban the beak trimming of birds kept in battery cages; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 15 April 2002
	Council Directive 99/74/EC prohibits all mutilation but permits member states to authorise beak trimming provided it is carried out by qualified staff on chickens that are less than 10 days old and intended for laying. It is intended that the directive will be implemented in England without being added to in any way. We do expect beak trimming to be ended as soon as practicable and we will be discussing with the egg industry and breeders the best way to achieve this.

Ministerial Training

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much has been spent by her Department on training by the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts for Ministers and officials in each of the last five years.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 26 April 2002
	Ministers in this Department are able to take advantage of the Programmes for Ministers organised by the Centre for Management and Policy Studies (CMPS) in the Cabinet Office.
	Since the formation of this Department in June 2001 no departmental training has been provided to Ministers and officials by the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts.

Ministerial Training

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much has been spent by her Department on training in leadership skills for Ministers and officials in each of the last five years.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 26 April 2002
	Ministers in this Department are able to take advantage of the Programmes for Ministers organised by the Centre for Management and Policy Studies (CMPS) in the Cabinet Office.
	Since the formation of this Department in June 2001, 492,878 has been spent on a departmental centrally funded leadership programme for the senior civil service in DEFRA and for other senior managers in key leadership roles.

Ministerial Training

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much has been spent by her Department on voice coaching for Ministers and officials in each of the last five years.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 26 April 2002
	Ministers in this Department are able to take advantage of the Programmes for Ministers organised by the Centre for Management and Policy Studies (CMPS) in the Cabinet Office.
	Since the formation of this Department in June 2001 no departmental costs have been incurred on voice coaching for Ministers and officials.

Energy Conservation

Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the 
	(1)  (a) past and (b) future impact on carbon dioxide emissions of the enhanced capital allowances for investments in energy saving technologies introduced in April 2001;
	(2)  impact on carbon dioxide emissions of the enhanced capital allowances for investments in (a) heat pumps, (b) radiant and warm air heaters, (c) solar heaters, (d) energy efficient refrigerator equipment, (e) compressor equipment and (f) energy-saving technology investments in assets for leasing.

Paul Boateng: I have been asked to reply.
	The energy-saving technologies introduced in 2001 are forecast to save at least 0.5 million tonnes of carbon a year by 2010. The technologies to be added in 2002 are expected to save a further one million tonnes of carbon to 2010, with the greatest contributions from radiant and warm air heaters, and refrigeration compressors. Savings will depend on the uptake and evolution of the scheme.

PRIVY COUNCIL

Overtime Payments

John Bercow: To ask the President of the Council what his policy is on overtime payments for staff in his Department.

Robin Cook: My policy is that, where staff work extra hours, they should be properly recompensed for it. Accordingly, all staff in my Department, except for members of the senior civil service, are entitled to claim overtime for work done in excess of their conditioned hours.

Parliamentary Questions

Tim Yeo: To ask the President of the Council if he will list the written questions asked of him between (a) 1 to 30 June 2001, (b) 1 to 31 July 2001, (c) 1 to 30 September 2001, (d) 1 to 31 October 2001, (e) 1 to 30 November 2001, (f) 1 to 31 December 2001, (g) 1 to 31 January 2002, (h) 1 to 28 February 2002, (i) 1 to 31 March 2002 and (j) 1 to 30 April 2002 that had not received a substantive answer by 30 April; and if he will state (i) the name of the hon. Member asking the question and (ii) the reasons the question had not received a substantive answer.

Robin Cook: Ministers have an obligation to Parliament to ensure that Members receive a substantive response to their named day question on the named day and to endeavour to answer an ordinary written question within a working week of it being tabled.
	Ministers and their Departments should make every effort to ensure that the live load of questions still awaiting a substantive reply should be kept to a minimum at all times.
	For my Department, only one question tabled by the hon. Member for Buckingham remained unanswered for the period in question, which was due in part to work pressures in the Department.
	The hon. Member for Buckingham will receive a response to his question today.

WALES

Parliamentary Questions

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the written questions asked of him between (a) 1 to 30 June 2001, (b) 1 to 31 July 2001, (c) 1 to 30 September 2001, (d) 1 to 31 October 2001, (e) 1 to 30 November 2001, (f) 1 to 31 December 2001, (g) 1 to 31 January 2002, (h) 1 to 28 February 2002, (i) 1 to 31 March 2002 and (j) 1 to 30 April 2002 that had not received a substantive answer by 30 April; and if he will state (i) the name of the hon. Member asking the question and (ii) the reasons the question had not received a substantive answer.

Paul Murphy: At the close of business on 30 April the following questions (excluding this one) had not received a substantive answer:
	2001
	1 June to 30 Junenone
	1 July to 31 Julynone
	1 September to 30 Septembernone
	1 October to 31 Octobernone
	1 November to 30 Novembernone
	1 December to 31 Decembernone
	2002
	1 January to 31 Januarytwo, John Bercow MP
	1 February to 28 Februarynone
	1 March to 31 Marchone, Tony Wright, MP; one, Nigel Evans MP; one, Llew Smith MP
	1 April to 30 Aprilone, Phyllis Starkey MP; three, Nigel Evans MP; one, Matthew Taylor MP.
	It is my practice to answer questions as quickly as possible, consistent with the need to provide meaningful answers.
	Of the 10 questions listed above, five had been with my Department for four working days or less on 30 April. The remainder asked for information which was not immediately available in the form requested and so required some additional time to compile.

Rheumatology Services

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had about the provision of rheumatology services in Wales.

Paul Murphy: I have regular discussions with Cabinet Colleagues and National Assembly Ministers, about a range of issues affecting Wales.
	I understand that the Assembly is currently considering with the national health service the provision of rheumatology services as part of the National Service Framework in Wales.

LORD CHANCELLOR

Delegated Legislation

John Bercow: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department 
	(1)  what assessment she has made of the cost-effectiveness of the High Court and County Courts Jurisdiction (Amendment) Order 2001; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  the Civil Procedure (Modification of Enactments) Order 2001; and if she will make a statement;
	(3)  the Legal Advice and Assistance (Amendment No. 3) Regulations 2001; and if she will make a statement;
	(4)  the Distress for Rent (Amendment) Rules 2001; and if she will make a statement;
	(5)  the Criminal Defence Service (General) Regulations 2001; and if she will make a statement;
	(6)  the Criminal Defence Service (Funding) (Amendment) Order 2001; and if she will make a statement;
	(7)  the Transport Tribunal (Amendment) Rules 2001; and if she will make a statement;
	(8)  the Criminal Defence Service (Representation Order Appeals) Regulations 2001; and if she will make a statement;
	(9)  the Civil Courts (Amendment) Order 2001; and if she will make a statement;
	(10)  the Referrals to the Special Commissioners Regulations 2001; and if she will make a statement;
	(11)  the Human Rights Act 1998 (Amendment No. 2) Order 2001; and if she will make a statement;
	(12)  the Social Security Commissioners (Procedure) (Amendment) Regulations 2001; and if she will make a statement;
	(13)  the Legal Aid in Criminal and Care Proceedings (Costs) (Amendment) Regulations 2001; and if she will make a statement;
	(14)  the Land Registration Fees Order 2001; and if she will make a statement;
	(15)  the Criminal Defence Service (Choice in Very High Cost Cases) Regulations 2001; and if she will make a statement;
	(16)  the Legal Advice and Assistance at Police Stations) (Remuneration) (Amendment) Regulations 2001; and if she will make a statement;
	(17)  the Legal Aid in Family Proceedings (Remuneration) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations 2001; and if she will make a statement;
	(18)  the Social Security Contributions (Decisions and Appeals) (Amendment) Regulations 2001; and if she will make a statement;
	(19)  the Pensions Appeal Tribunals (England and Wales) (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2001; and if she will make a statement;
	(20)  the Land Registration (District Registries) Order 2001; and if she will make a statement;
	(21)  the Value Added Tax Tribunals (Amendment) Rules 2001; and if she will make a statement;
	(22)  the Community Legal Service (Financial) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations 2001; and if she will make a statement;
	(23)  the Civil Legal Aid (General) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations 2001; and if she will make a statement;
	(24)  the Criminal Defence Service (Funding) (Amendment No. 3) Order 2001; and if she will make a statement;
	(25)  the Litigants in Person (Costs and Expenses) (Magistrates' Courts) Order 2001; and if she will make a statement;
	(26)  the Legal Aid in Criminal and Care Proceedings (Costs) (Amendment No. 2) Order 2001; and if she will make a statement;
	(27)  the Financial Services and Markets Tribunal Rules 2001; and if she will make a statement;
	(28)  the Magistrates' Courts Committees (Constitution) (Amendment) Regulations 2001; and if she will make a statement;
	(29)  the High Court and County Courts Jurisdiction (Amendment No. 2) Order 2001; and if he will make a statement;
	(30)  the Magistrates' Courts (International Criminal Court) (Forms) Rules 2001; and if she will make a statement;
	(31)  the Greater London Magistrates' Courts Authority (Constitution) (Amendment) 2001; and if she will make a statement;
	(32)  the Licensed Conveyancers' Discipline and Appeals Committee (Procedure) Rules Approval Order 2001; and if she will make a statement;
	(33)  the Court of Protection (Amendment) Rules 2001; and if she will make a statement;
	(34)  the Civil Procedure (Amendment No. 4) Rules 2001; and if she will make a statement;
	(35)  the Insurers (Winding Up) Rules 2001; and if she will make a statement;
	(36)  the Immigration and Asylum Appeals (Procedure) (Amendment) Rules 2001; and if she will make a statement;
	(37)  the Crown Court (Amendment) (No. 3) Rules 2001; and if she will make a statement;
	(38)  the Public Trustee (Notices Affecting Land) (Title on Death) (Amendment) Regulations 2001; and if she will make a statement;
	(39)  the Employment Appeals Tribunal (Amendment) Rules 2001; and if she will make a statement;
	(40)  the Magistrates' Courts (Detention and Forfeiture of Terrorist Cash) (No. 2) Rules 2001; and if she will make a statement;
	(41)  the Civil Procedure (Amendment No. 6) Rules 2001; and if she will make a statement;
	(42)  the Civil Procedure (Amendment No. 5) Rules 2001; and if she will make a statement;
	(43)  the Public Record Office (Fees) (No. 2) Regulations 2001; and if she will make a statement;
	(44)  the Financial Services and Markets Tribunal (Legal Assistance Scheme, Costs) Regulations 2001; and if she will make a statement;
	(45)  the Financial Services and Markets Tribunal (Legal Assistance) Regulations 2001; and if she will make a statement;
	(46)  the Contracting Out of Functions (Tribunal Staff) Order 2001; and if she will make a statement;
	(47)  the Bankruptcy (Financial Services and Markets Act 2000) Rules 2001; and if she will make a statement;
	(48)  the Contracting Out (Administration and other Court Staff) Order 2001; and if she will make a statement;
	(49)  the Community Legal Service (Cost Protection) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations 2001; and if she will make a statement;
	(50)  the Community Legal Service (Financial) (Amendment No. 3) Regulations 2001; and if she will make a statement;
	(51)  the Justices' Clerks (Qualifications of Assistants) (Amendment) Rules 2001; and if she will make a statement;
	(52)  the Civil Procedure (Amendment No. 3) Rules 2001; and if she will make a statement;
	(53)  the Children (Allocation of Proceedings) (Amendment No. 2) Order 2001; and if she will make a statement;
	(54)  the Community Legal Service (Funding) (Amendment No. 2) Order 2001; and if she will make a statement;
	(55)  the Parental Responsibility Agreement (Amendment) Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement;
	(56)  the Legal Aid in Family Proceedings (Remuneration) (Amendment No. 3) Regulations 2001; and if she will make a statement;
	(57)  the Damages (Personal Injury) Order 2001; and if she will make a statement;
	(58)  the Criminal Defence Service (Funding) (Amendment No. 2) Order 2001; and if she will make a statement;
	(59)  the County Court Fees (Amendment) Order 2001; and if she will make a statement;
	(60)  the General Commissioners of Income Tax (Costs) Regulations 2001; and if she will make a statement;
	(61)  the Justices and Justices' Clerks (Costs) Regulations 2001; and if she will make a statement;
	(62)  the Enforcement of Road Traffic Debts (Amendment) Order 2001; and if she will make a statement;
	(63)  the Inner London Court Staff Pension (Amendment) Order 2001; and if she will make a statement;
	(64)  the Criminal Defence Service (General) (No. 2) Regulations 2001; and if she will make a statement;
	(65)  the Civil Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2001; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave to him on 1 May 2002, Official Report, column 863W.

SCOTLAND

European Union Directives

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if she will list the European Union directives and regulations relating to her Department that have been implemented in each of the last four years, specifying (a) the title and purpose of each, (b) the cost to public funds of each and (c) the cost to businesses of each.

Helen Liddell: Since the Scotland Office was established on 1 July 1999 no European Union directives or regulations have been implemented by my Department.

Scottish Financial Enterprise

Jacqui Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when she plans to meet Scottish Financial Enterprise; and how many times she has met them since becoming Secretary of State.

Helen Liddell: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 25 March 2002, Official Report, column 685W.

Parental Leave Directive

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate she has made of the (a) financial costs and (b) benefits to her Department of the Parental Leave Directive.

Helen Liddell: The Scotland Office was established in its present form on 1 July 1999. To date there have been no applications for parental leave in the department.
	My department is committed to helping its staff achieve a better balance between their home, family obligations and their work. Parental leave can play an important part in achieving this. We believe it will lead to greater commitment and morale among staff with families and to help reduce staff turnover.

Access to Information

Tony Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if she will list the administrative manuals and internal guidance which her Department has made public as required by Part 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information; and which of these were first made available after May 1997.

Helen Liddell: Since my Department was established on 1 July 1999 the Scotland Office Service Delivery Agreement, the Scotland Office Charger and the Scotland Office Departmental Annual Reports have been publicly available. These give details of the service the public can expect to receive from my Department, and its record against these standards.

Scottish Interests

Jacqui Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps she has taken to represent Scottish interests to the Department for Work and Pensions on pensions issues.

Helen Liddell: I have frequent meetings with Department for Work and Pensions Ministers and discuss a wide range of matters with them.

Shipyards

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions she has had with the Scottish Executive on helping shipyards in Scotland to market themselves (a) abroad and (b) within the UK.

Helen Liddell: holding answer 26 March 2002
	The Clyde Shipyards Task Force set out recommendations to promote the Clyde Yards. I shall continue to have regular discussions with Scottish Executive Ministers about how we might support these and other Scottish shipyards at home and abroad.

Whisky Strip

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 
	(1)  what representations she has received from the tourist industry in Scotland on the impact of the whisky strip on miniature whiskies produced for the tourist industry;
	(2)  what representations she has received from the gift packaging industry in Scotland on the impact of the introduction of a whisky strip for whisky miniatures used in producing gift packs;
	(3)  what representations she has received from the whisky industry on the impact of the whisky strip on the production of miniature whiskies.

Helen Liddell: holding answer 10 April 2002
	I have received formal submissions from the Scotch Whisky Association and the Gin and Vodka Association covering a wide range of concerns on the introduction of fiscal marks on spirits. I have also received informal representations.
	It was clear from the consultation process that the introduction of tax stamps would have a severe impact on the productivity and compliance costs of the spirits industry which, if passed on in full, could have had a significant impact on retail prices for spirits. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer therefore decided to pursue a joint programme of co-operation with the spirits industry to identify, track and trace illicit consignments of spirits, not involving strip stamps.

Smart Card Technology

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if she will make a statement on the use of smart card technology in her Department and in the areas for which it is responsible; and what discussions she has had with private companies about the use of smart card technology within her Department.

Helen Liddell: holding answer 16 April 2002
	My Department does not provide services directly to the public and I have had no discussions with private companies about the use of smart card technology. The office of the e-Envoy has established a working group to consider policy on smart cards for the United Kingdom.

Minimum Income Guarantee

Ian Davidson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many pensioners in Glasgow, Pollok are receiving the minimum income guarantee; and what estimate she has made of the numbers of those who are eligible but have not claimed.

George Foulkes: In the Glasgow, Pollock constituency, some 3,600 people benefit from the minimum income guarantee. Estimates of the number of pensioners eligible but not claiming minimum income guarantee are not available below Great Britain level. Figures for Great Britain are included in the publication Take Up of Income Related Benefits: Statistics for 19992000.

Tartan Week

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what involvement her Department had in the Tartan Week celebrations in the USA.

Helen Liddell: The First Minister and other representatives of the Scottish Executive and the Scottish Parliament attended the Tartan Day celebrations. I and my Department were happy to provide support. The First Minister and I share the view that such events can lend support to the Friends of Scotland initiative.

Grangemouth Refinery

Michael Connarty: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions she, her Ministers and officials have held with BP over future plans for the Grangemouth refinery since January; and if she will make a statement.

George Foulkes: I visited BP's complex at Grangemouth on 22 April and met with senior BP management. We discussed their long-term plans for sustaining the future of this very important complex and the contribution it makes to both the local and Scottish economy.

Parliamentary Questions

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if she will list the written questions asked of her between (a) 1 to 30 June 2001, (b) 1 to 31 July 2001, (c) 1 to 30 September 2001, (d) 1 to 31 October 2001, (e) 1 to 30 November 2001, (f) 1 to 31 December 2001, (g) 1 to 31 January 2002, (h) 1 to 28 February 2002, (i) 1 to 31 March 2002 and (j) 1 to 30 April 2002 that had not received a substantive answer by 30 April; and if he will state (i) the name of the hon. Member asking the question and (ii) the reasons the question had not received a substantive answer.

Helen Liddell: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given today by my right hon. Friend the President of the Council. As at 30 Aprildue in no small part to the increasing number of 'round robin' questions37 written questions await a reply. These will be answered as soon as possible.

New Deal

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people employed by her Department under the New Deal for Young People in each of the last four years have subsequently (a) found unsubsidised employment for more than 13 weeks and (b) returned to jobseeker's allowance or other benefits.

Helen Liddell: Information on New Deal appointees who have now left my Department is not held centrally.

DEFENCE

84 Squadron

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he plans to withdraw the Wessex helicopters in service with 84 Squadron; and what aircraft will be used to replace them.

Adam Ingram: On current plans we expect to withdraw the Wessex helicopters of 84 Squadron from RAF service on 31 March 2003. They will be replaced by the Bell 412 Enhanced Performance helicopter.

National Insurance

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate the cost in the next 12 months of the Budget changes to employers' national insurance contributions to (a) his Department, (b) agencies of his Department, (c) each of the armed forces and (d) employers in respect of time spent by employees on reserve forces service.

Adam Ingram: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 29 April 2002, Official Report, column 544W, by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary (Mr. Smith).

National Insurance

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate the full year cost of Budget changes to national insurance to the MOD in the first year of its operation.

Adam Ingram: The full year cost to the Ministry of Defence of the Budget changes to employers' national insurance contributions in 200304 is estimated to be some 60 million.

Transport Aircraft

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many transport aircraft have been chartered and leased to operate on behalf of British armed forces (a) for ISAF and (b) as part of the operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan; and from which (i) sources and (ii) countries the leased aircraft have come.

Geoff Hoon: As at 22 April, a total of 89 aircraft have been chartered/leased in support of the International Security Assistance Force. With one exception, these were sourced through UK-based commercial aircraft brokers. 69 have been provided by various Russian airlines, nine by Ukrainian airlines and nine by a Latvian airline. An Armenian airline provided an aircraft over a period. An Iranian aircraft was sourced through a commercial company based in Germany.
	64 aircraft were sourced through UK-based aircraft brokers in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, 52 from a Russian and 12 from a Latvian airline.

Service Accommodation

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the responses, by percentage in each category of answer, from members of the (a) Royal Navy, (b) Royal Air Force and (c) Army in the latest available continuous attitude survey to questions regarding (i) service family accommodation and (ii) single living accommodation; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: The purpose of the continuous attitude surveys is to ascertain the attitude of personnel towards a range of service conditions including accommodation. Senior staff and policy makers use the information gathered from the surveys to identify which policies are seen to be working and to inform subsequent policy development work.
	The surveys are purely a management tool and would risk losing their significance if published out of context. It is also relevant that, in order to encourage full participation, respondents are assured of the continuing anonymity of their inputs. I am therefore withholding the information requested in accordance with Exemption 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

Royal Navy

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the total requirement of the Royal Navy, broken down by ship type, in (a) 1997, and (b) 2002 and planned for (c) 2007, (d) 2012 and (e) 2017; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: The term requirement of the Royal Navy is not one that is generally recognised by the Ministry of Defence, however the number of Royal Navy ships and submarines in service in 1997 and 2002 as well as the currently planned numbers for 2007 are shown in the following table.
	
		
			 Vessel type 1997 2002 2007 
		
		
			 Submarines 15 16 13 
			 Aircraft Carriers 3 3 3 
			 Landing Platform Docks 2 (6)0 2 
			 Landing Platform Helicopter 0 1 1 
			 Destroyers 12 11 11 
			 Frigates 23 21 21 
			 Minehunters 18 22 22 
			 Offshore Patrol 8 7 5 
			 Patrol Craft 15 16 16 
			 Ice Patrol Ship 1 1 1 
			 Survey Ships 6 3 4 
		
	
	(6) HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark the new replacement landing platform docks are planned to enter service in 2003
	Beyond 2007 numbers are dependent upon continuing analysis and evaluation and upon decisions about how particular capability requirements might in future most cost-effectively be met.

Aircraft

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the total requirement of the (a) RAF and (b) Royal Navy, broken down by aircraft type in (i) 1997, (ii) 2002 and planned for (iii) 2007, (iv) 2010 and (v) 2017; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 25 April 2002
	Holdings of RAF and Royal Navy aircraft in 1997 and 2002, and planned holdings in 2007including both operational aircraft and those in sustainment fleets but excluding aircraft operated by the Defence Procurement Agency and QinetiQare set out. A separate table shows the aircraft which form the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.
	Beyond 2007, numbers are dependent upon continuing analysis and evaluation and upon decisions about how particular capability requirements might in future most cost-effectively be met. In some areas the capabilities currently provided by RAF and RN aircraft may be provided under service provision contracts with commercial partners under PFI arrangementsin these cases fleet sizes and aircraft types will normally be a matter for the service provider to determine in light of the specified requirement.
	
		RAF aircraft
		
			   Requirement Current planning assumption 
			 Type 1997 2002 2007 
		
		
			 A400M 0 0 0 
			 Astor 0 0 4 
			 BAe125 8 6 6 
			 BAe146 3 2 2 
			 Bulldog(7) 116 0 0 
			 C17 0 4 4 
			 Canberra 9 7 0 
			 Chinook(8) 34   
			 Dominie(9) 10 11 11 
			 Eurofighter 0 0 78 
			 JSF 0 0 0 
			 FSTA 0 0 1 
			 Gazelle(10) 21 0 0 
			 GliderVigilant 53 57 56 
			 GliderViking 82 89 84 
			 GliderValiant 4 0 0 
			 GliderJanus 2 0 0 
			 Harrier(11) 70 83 75 
			 Hawk(9),(12),(12) 100 118 112 
			 Hercules 56 51 51 
			 Islander 2 2 2 
			 Jaguar 54 66 35 
			 Jetstream(9) 10 11 11 
			 Nimrod 29 24 24 
			 Puma(8) 37   
			 Sea King Mk3 25 25 25 
			 Sea King replacement 0 0 0 
			 Sentry AEW1 7 7 7 
			 Tornado F3 107 113 72 
			 Tornado GR 142 187 142 
			 Tristar 9 9 9 
			 Tucano(9) 73 126 126 
			 Twin Squirrel(14) 0 3  
			 VC10 26 20 19 
			 Wessex(15) 50 4 0 
		
	
	(7) Training now provided under the Light Aircraft Flying Task (LAFT) contract.
	(8) Support Helicopters now form part of the Joint Helicopter Command (Army).
	(9) The UK Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS) requirement to replace current fixed wing aircrew training aircraft (Tucano, Hawk, Jetstream and Dominie) will potentially be met through a PFI contract.
	(10) Training now provided under contract by Defence Helicopter Flying School.
	(11) Excludes RN Sea Harriers (see RN table as follows).
	(12) RAF requirement excludes aircraft for RN Fleet Requirement and Aircraft Direction Unit (FRADU) tasks.
	(13) The specific capability required to meet the non aircrew-training tasks currently performed by the Hawks has yet to be determined.
	(14) Leased aircraft for VIP transport, current contract runs to March 2004.
	(15) Cyprus SAR only until 2002, to be replaced by contractor operated aircraft from April 03.
	
		The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight currently consists of:
		
			 Type Total Aircraft Holding 1997 Total Aircraft Holding 2002 
		
		
			 Dakota 1 1 
			 Hurricane 2 2 
			 Lancaster 1 1 
			 Chipmunk T10 1 1 
			 Spitfire 5 5 
		
	
	
		RN Aircraft
		
			   Requirement Current planning assumption 
			 Type 1997 2002 2007 
		
		
			 Gazelle 8 8 0 
			 Hawk(16) 15 14 15 
			 Jetstream(17) 15 13 13 
			 Light Utility   6 
			 Helicopter
			 Lynx 82 80 (18)62 
			 Merlin 2 38 41 
			 Sea Harrier(19) 49 54 0 
			 Sea King(20) 111 88 67 
		
	
	(16) The specific capability required to meet the tasks currently performed by the Hawks has yet to be determined.
	(17) The UK Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS) requirement to replace current fixed wing training aircraft (Jetstream T2) will potentially be met through a PFI contact. Numbers and types of aircraft to meet the requirement would be a matter for the contractor. The remainder of the Jetstream aircraft (Jetstream T3), employed in the communications role, have a later OSD.
	(18) Our current planning assumption is that the Lynx Mk 3 and 8 will be replaced by the Surface Combatant Maritime Rotorcraft, in the latter part of the decade.
	(19) Under the Joint Force Harrier migration plan the Sea Harrier will be withdrawn from service by Apr 2006.
	(20) Our current planning assumption is that the Sea King MK4 (and Puma) will be replaced by the Support and Amphibious Battlefield Rotorcraft programme. The Anti Submarine Sea King force is being replaced by the Merlin Mk1. Numbers shown reflect this run down.

Nuclear Weapons

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what capabilities have been developed to verify the reduction in nuclear weapons since July 1998; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 25 April 2002
	Following commitments made in the Strategic Defence Review the Ministry of Defence has developed its capability to consider technologies, skills and techniques which may be utilised in the verification of the reduction and elimination of nuclear weapons. The MOD published a paper entitled 'Nuclear Verification' in April 2000 which summarised the work of an initial study by the Atomic Weapons Establishment Aldermaston which examined the United Kingdom's capabilities to verify the reduction and elimination of nuclear weapons. A verification research programme has also been established to cover further technical and systems studies and this is continuing. MOD will continue to maintain its awareness of technologies which may be relevant to the verification of nuclear disarmament.

Defence Diplomacy Mission

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the enhanced arms control programme set up under the Defence Diplomacy Mission of the strategic defence review; how many staff were dedicated to this programme in (a) July 1998 and (b) April 2002.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 25 April 2002
	Principal achievements of the enhanced arms control programme under the Defence Diplomacy Mission of the strategic defence review have included:
	Nuclear arms control
	After withdrawal of the RAF's freefall nuclear bomb, Trident is now our only nuclear system. All WE-177 warheads have been dismantled, as have all Chevaline warheads. The operationally available stockpile has been reduced to fewer than 200 warheads, which is a reduction of more than 70 per cent. in the potential explosive power of our nuclear forces since the cold war. The readiness of our nuclear forces has been reduced. Only a single Trident submarine is now on deterrent patrol, carrying 48 warheads. The submarine patrol is normally on several days' notice to fire and its missiles are de-targeted.
	Fissile material no longer required for defence purposes has been placed under international safeguards and all enrichment and reprocessing facilities in the UK are now subject to Euratom safeguards and liable to international inspection by the IAEA. The MOD has become more transparent about its nuclear and fissile material stockpiles. The Ministry of Defence published a report on Historical Accounting and Plutonium in April 2000.
	The MOD has taken a lead in promoting the issue of the international verification of nuclear arms reductions and commissioned the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) Aldermaston to conduct studies. An initial report entitled Nuclear Verification was published in April 2000 and a programme has begun to develop UK expertise in verifying the reduction and elimination of nuclear weapons internationally.
	The MOD worked with the FCO to enable the UK to play a key role in the successful agreement of a final document at the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference in 2000 which set out a programme of action for the next five years.
	The MOD has supported FCO efforts leading to the UK signature and ratification of the protocols to the treaty of Pelindaba (African Nuclear Weapon Free Zone) in 2001. It has played an active role in establishing the verification mechanisms for the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban treaty (CTBT) through scientific support to the Provisional Technical Secretariat of the CTBT organisation in Vienna and, together with the FCO, has continued to promote its early entry into force.
	Biological and toxin weapons convention
	The MOD has provided expert technical and policy advice as part of the delegation to the ad hoc group in Geneva negotiating a protocol to strengthen the biological and toxin weapons convention (BTWC), as well as the delegation to the BTWC Review Conference, including drafting a number of important technical papers. In particular, DSTL Porton Down made a leading contribution to the technical aspects of the draft protocol and drafted a thorough and well received review of scientific and technological developments to inform the Review Conference. This input has been a key factor enabling the UK to play a leading role in these negotiations. The MOD has also contributed substantially to the Green Paper on Biological Arms Control to be published by the Foreign Secretary on 29 April.
	Chemical weapons convention
	The MOD has also provided expert technical and policy advice as part of the delegation to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in The Hague, including drafting a number of important technical papers. This input has played a key part in enabling the UK to play a leading role in the OPCW. We have provided a programme of training to enhance the capabilities of OPCW inspectors. This year we have contributed 50,000 to the OPCW voluntary fund to provide assistance to states in the event that they are attacked with chemical weapons. We have continued to conduct annual practice challenge inspection exercises to test our own responses and to help provide training to the OPCW inspectors. DSTL Porton Down is one of some 12 laboratories world wide that has achieved and retains the status of designation by the Director-General of the OPCW for the analysis of chemical samples. With the FCO, we have worked bilaterally with a number of states to clarify issues arising from their declaration of relevant facilities and activities under the chemical weapons convention.
	Russia
	We have initiated a programme of assistance to Russia with destruction of its chemical weapons and for biological non-proliferation projects, contributing up to 12 million over three years. We have successfully negotiated a treaty with Russia covering this assistance, which the Defence Secretary signed on 20 December 2001. We have also attracted to the UK programme contributions worth some euro 2 million and 1.4 million from the EU and Norway respectively, which MOD will manage on their behalf.
	Conventional arms control
	Since July 1998 the Joint Arms Control Implementation Group (JACIG) has conducted or hosted some 400 inspections or visits related to existing arms control treaties, such as the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) treaty, or confidence and security building agreements, such as Vienna Document 1999. This includes 45 missions related to the Open Skies treaty. These have involved regular contact with all 54 other nations in the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), although inspections are not conducted on or by other NATO nations. In addition, JACIG has conducted a variety of bilateral activities, outside formal treaty requirements, designed to foster good working relationships with a number of OSCE nations, particularly with Russia and countries in the Balkans. These have included running language training and arms control inspectors' courses, lecturing at overseas institutions, and providing technical expert advice in a variety of forums.
	We played a positive role in the convention on certain conventional weapons (CCW) in gaining a mandate to take forward discussions to address explosive remnants of war.
	We have supported implementation of the Ottawa convention in a number of ways, including through the provision of a member of staff, jointly with the Department for International Development, to the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining.
	Export control regimes
	Together with the FCO we have achieved a well established outreach programme to 12 countries on export control and non-proliferation. We have increased the effectiveness of the Wassenaar Arrangement, which covers the transfers of conventional weapons and dual-use material, particularly with respect to information sharing a transparency. We have agreed guidelines on the export of man-portable air defence systems (MANPADS) and criteria for judging destabilising transfers of conventional weapons. We have also been instrumental in the restructuring of the Nuclear Suppliers Group.
	Iraq
	An MOD representative played an active role in the UN Secretary-General's panel which proposed the new UNMOVIC (United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission), on which MOD provides the UK commissioner. We have also assisted in the training of UNMOVIC inspectors.
	Working with other Departments
	The MOD works closely with the FCO as well as the DTI, DfID and other Government Departments to formulate arms control policy, negotiate in international forums and implement non-proliferation measures. Staff numbers
	The staff numbers involved in MOD work on arms control as part of the Defence Diplomacy Mission are as follows:
	
		
			  Staff numbers 
		
		
			 (a) July 1998 134 
			 (b) April 2002 140 
		
	
	Note:
	Numbers are full-time equivalents rounded to nearest whole number. They include both civilian and military staff. They exclude those in a support role and work conducted for other Departments.

Naval Vessels

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to put further Royal Navy vessels at states of low readiness.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 26 April 2002
	The plan to hold HMS Sheffield at extended readiness from November 2002 until September 2004 was declared on 4 March 2002, Official Report, column 34W.
	On current plans, and commensurate with force levels endorsed within the SDR, HMS Invincible will be held at extended readiness from 2006 until she is withdrawn from service towards the end of this decade.
	It has been decided that the Type 42 Destroyer HMS Glasgow will be placed at extended readiness from May 2002 to early July 2002. This will not affect the Royal Navy's ability to meet its current level of commitments during that priod.

Army Manpower

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Army training regiments will accept their last infantry recruits.

Adam Ingram: All adult Standard Entry Infantry recruits will henceforth receive both initial and specialist training at the School of Infantry at Catterick in North Yorkshire on a combined course. Junior Entry Infantry recruits will receive their basic training at either the Army Training Regiment (ATR) at Bassingbourn in Cambridgeshire or the Army Foundation College at Harrogate; they then move to Catterick for Phase 2 specialist Infantry training. It is our intention that no Infantry training will in future be carried out at other ATRs, although a number of adult Standard Entry recruits are still completing their initial training at ATR Glencorse, ATR Lichfield, ATR Pirbright and ATR Winchester.

Armed Forces

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the in-year requirement for UK trained Army, Naval Service and Royal Air Force personnel has been in each of the past five years; and what the requirement will be in 2003.

Adam Ingram: The in-year requirements for UK trained personnel for each of the past five years are detailed in the following table.
	
		
			  Naval Service (21)Army (22)RAF 
		
		
			 1 April 1997 42,911 103,353 56,445 
			 1 April 1998 41,937 102,825 54,527 
			 1 April 1999 40,943 102,389 53,024 
			 1 April 2000 39,863 103,086 52,160 
			 1 April 2001 39,897 103,926 51,594 
		
	
	(21) This represents the requirement for UK Trained Army Personnel (UKTAP) and excludes the requirement for the Full Time Reserve Service (FTRS) personnel and Gurkha Trained Army Manpower (GURTAM)
	(22) Figure excludes the requirement for FTRS personnel
	The requirement on 1 April 2003 for the Naval Service is currently assessed at 38,321 personnel and for the RAF it will be approximately 49,000. Detailed work is still under way to determine the Army's requirement for 2003.

National Missile Defence

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions his Department has had with (a) EU member states and (b) the EU Commissioner for External Relations, regarding a European Union view on national missile defence.

Geoff Hoon: None. Missile defence is not a matter for the European Union.

National Missile Defence

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what agreements have been made with the USA regarding the use of UK facilities at (a) Fylingdales and (b) Menwith Hill.

Adam Ingram: The use of the Ballistic Missile Early Warning Station at RAF Fylingdales by the United Kingdom and the United States is governed by an exchange of notes between the British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and the American ambassador, dated 15 February 1960.
	As with other UK bases that are made available to the United States visiting forces, the use of RAF Menwith Hill is governed by the NATO Status of Forces Agreement of 1951 and additional confidential arrangements.

National Missile Defence

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions his Department has had with UK firms bidding for work on the US-initiated programme of national missile defence; and if he will make a statement.

Geoff Hoon: Expertise relating to missile defence was developed by a number of the United Kingdom companies during the Technology Readiness and Risk Assessment Programme sponsored by the Ministry of Defence. An unclassified summary of the report was placed in the Library of the House on 26 February 2002. Regular discussions with firms take place as part of continuing activity in this area.

Afghanistan

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate the number of civilians who have been killed in Afghanistan since the commencement of international coalition military action against terrorists in that country; and if he will make a statement.

Geoff Hoon: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 12 December 2001, Official Report, column 860W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Selly Oak (Lynne Jones).

Missile Defence

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the prospects are for a missile defence system that can cover the European countries of NATO; and if he will make a statement.

Geoff Hoon: The United States has made clear that it wishes to see friends and allies protected from the emerging threat posed by ballistic missiles. However, it has yet to put forward any detailed plans.

Sea Harriers

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 16 April 2002, Official Report, columns 8234W, on Sea Harriers, if he will estimate the value of the savings to which he refers in column 824W.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 30 April 2002
	I refer the hon Member to the answer I gave to him on 29 April 2002 Official Report, column 531W.

Medical Treatment (Waiting Times)

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) officers and (b) other ranks are awaiting medical treatment; and how many of these have been waiting over three months.

Lewis Moonie: Service patients are mainly treated in Defence Secondary Care Agency (DSCA) administered Ministry of Defence Hospital Units (MDHUs) situated in National Health Service (NHS) Trusts, in other NHS hospitals as NHS patients or in DSCA Directly Managed Units in the United Kingdom and overseas. The Army administers secondary care in Northern Ireland. The British Forces Germany Health Service provides secondary care for Service personnel in Germany, where there are generally no waiting lists.
	The MOD only maintains central records on the overall number of Armed Forces patients awaiting inpatient treatment (including daycase surgery) at MDHUs. MDHU waiting list information as at 31 December 2001 for all MDHUs except Portsmouth, for which the waiting list information is at 30 September 2001, is provided in the following table. These are the latest dates for which information is available.
	
		
			 Waiting time (months) Number of service patients waiting 
		
		
			 03 months 1,166 
			 3+ months 897 
			  
			 Total waiting 2,063

Princess Royal Barracks, Deepcut (Fatalities)

Nick Hawkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what special inquiries have been undertaken in relation to two recent deaths from bullet wounds at Princess Royal Barracks, Deepcut, near Camberley, Surrey; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: The recent deaths of two soldiers at the Princess Royal Barracks, Deepcut, are the subject of on-going investigations by the Surrey police. An Army Board of Inquiry will be held into each incident in due course, although this cannot take place until such time the associated police investigations are complete.

Pay

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel (a) with children and (b) without children in the (i) Army, (ii) Royal Navy and (iii) RAF are earning under 92.90 per week after tax and national insurance deductions; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 25 April 2002, Official Report, column 425W. The minimum rate of pay for armed forces personnel (for Army new entrants under 17 only) is currently 8,997 per annum. As this is considerably greater than 92.90 per week (4,830.80 per annum) and the adult new entrant rate is even higher at 10,778 per annum, an individual in the armed forces would not, therefore, receive as little as 92.90 per week after normal tax and national insurance contributions.
	Comprehensive information on parental status is not held, for example on those single personnel with children, or married with a spouse with children from a previous relationship. Information on the parental status of individual armed forces personnel in receipt of specific rates of pay could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Warship Support Modernisation Initiative

Syd Rapson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assurances will be given on the terms and conditions for the staff to be transferred to the private sector as part of the Warship Support Modernisation initiative.

Adam Ingram: Following successful discussions between officials from my Department, MOD trade unions and the prospective partnering companies, my Department and the partnering companies have signed a Joint Statement of Intent on the transfer of staff to the private sector under the Warship Support Modernisation initiative. The Joint Statement of Intent gives assurances that current terms and conditions, including redundancy provision, will transfer in full in compliance with the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) regulations and the MOD TUPE Code of Practice. New pension arrangements, broadly comparable to those currently enjoyed under the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme, will be offered to those who transfer.
	The partnering companies have stated their intention to achieve any changes to pay and conditions of employment through consultation and negotiation. It is also their intention to achieve any job reductions that may arise through natural wastage and voluntary means to avoid compulsory redundancies. The companies confirm their commitment to work fully with the recognised trade unions after the transfer. These assurances are set out in full in the Joint Statement of Intent, a copy of which will be placed in the Library of the House.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Pensions

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of single male pensioners aged (a) 70 and under, (b) 71 to 75, (c) 76 to 80 and (d) over 80 years had an income below 60 per cent. of the median income in each of the last 10 years.

Ian McCartney: The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the table.
	
		Proportion of single male pensioners below 60 per cent. of median -- Percentage of pensioners
		
			  Income threshold: 60 per cent. of median  
			  Before housing costs After housing costs 
		
		
			  Including the self-employed 
			 199192 23 30 
			 199293 18 28 
			 199394 17 26 
			 199495 17 23 
			 199596 17 22 
			 199697 17 25 
			 199798 18 28 
			 199899 18 28 
			 19992000 18 26 
			 200001 16 24 
			
			  Excluding the self-employed 
			 199192 21 29 
			 199293 18 28 
			 199394 16 25 
			 199495 16 22 
			 199596 16 21 
			 199697 16 24 
			 199798 18 28 
			 199899 17 27 
			 19992000 18 25 
			 200001 16 23 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. All figures are estimates and are taken from the Households Below Average Income (HBAI) series. From 199192 to 199394 data are derived from the Family Expenditure Survey (two calendar years combined for 199192 and 199293 and two financial years combined for 199394). From 199495 to 200001, data is derived from the Family Resources Survey and represents singe financial years. The Family Resources Survey does not include Northern Ireland, and the latest year for which data are available is 200001.
	2. The estimates are sample counts, which have been adjusted for non-response using multipurpose grossing factors. Estimates are subject to both sample error and to variable in non-response. The income measure used is weekly net (disposable) equivalised household income (that is to say income that is adjusted to reflect the composition of the household).
	3. The estimates are presented on both a Before Housing Costs (BHC) and an After Housing Costs (AHC) basis in line with HBAI conventions. Figures are provided excluding the self-employed, as research suggests that, for self-employed people, income as reported in surveys is often a poor indicator of living standards. HBAI convention is to present results excluding the self-employed, presenting results including the self-employed where the two differ.

Pensions

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will set out the differences in eligibility criteria for each category of people claiming the (a) basic state pension and (b) state second pension.

Ian McCartney: People can qualify for a full basic state pension on reaching state pension age providing they make a claim and satisfy the following contribution conditions:
	They must have paid 50 qualifying contributions before 6 April 1975 or enough contributions in any one tax year after April 1975 for that year to be a qualifying year. Enough contributions must be paid or credited to give qualifying years for about 90 per cent. of their working life.
	To qualify for any basic pension at all a person must have enough qualifying years to receive a pension of at least 25 per cent. of the full rate.
	People can qualify for additional pension through the state second pension payable at state pension age if they are:
	Employees without contracted-out pension arrangement earning between the national insurance lower and upper earnings levels, or Employees who have contracted-out pension arrangements who earn between the national insurance lower earnings level and 24,600 (in 200203 terms) or
	Carers who either qualify for Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP) where they are caring for an ill or disabled person or a child under age six; or are entitled to invalid care allowance throughout a qualifying year or People who, throughout a qualifying year, are entitled to incapacity benefit at the long term rate or; receive severe disablement allowance, and who at state pension age, have worked and paid or are treated as having paid class 1 national insurance contributions for 10 per cent. of their working life.

Pensions

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what percentage of pensioner couples where the age of the head of the household was (a) 70 and under, (b) 71 to 75, (c) 76 to 80 and (d) over 80 years had an income in (i) the bottom income quintile, (ii) the second bottom income quintile, (iii) the middle income quintile, (iv) the second top income quintile and (v) the top income quintile, in each of the past 10 years.

Ian McCartney: The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the tables.
	
		Percentage distribution of income for individuals living in pensioners couples by ageexcluding the self-employed -- Percentage of pensioners
		
			   Net equivalised disposable household income  
			  Bottom quintile Second quintile Third quintile Fourth quintile Top quintile Total 
		
		
			  Before housing costs 
			  Pensioner couples 
			 199192 28 28 21 13 11 5.1 
			 199293 25 29 21 14 11 5.2 
			 199394 24 31 21 12 12 5.2 
			 199495 24 29 21 15 11 5.1 
			 199596 27 26 21 15 11 5.1 
			 199697 23 29 21 15 12 5.1 
			 199798 24 28 22 14 12 5.2 
			 199899 27 26 20 15 12 5.2 
			 19992000 24 29 21 14 11 5.2 
			 200001 26 27 21 14 12 5.2 
			
			 of which:   
			  Head aged 70 and under 
			 199192 21 26 24 17 12 2.4 
			 199293 20 27 23 16 14 2.4 
			 199394 18 31 23 13 15 2.3 
			 199495 18 28 23 18 14 2.1 
			 199596 21 24 24 17 14 2.2 
			 199697 16 27 23 19 16 2.2 
			 199798 18 26 23 18 15 2.3 
			 199899 20 25 22 18 15 2.3 
			 19992000 17 27 23 18 15 2.3 
			 200001 19 26 23 17 15 2.2 
			
			  Head aged 71 to 75 
			 199192 31 28 21 10 11 1.3 
			 199293 26 27 21 15 11 1.4 
			 199394 27 31 19 13 11 1.5 
			 199495 26 30 20 14 9 1.6 
			 199596 28 30 19 13 10 1.6 
			 199697 25 29 21 13 13 1.5 
			 199798 28 31 19 11 11 1.4 
			 199899 28 28 20 14 10 1.5 
			 19992000 26 32 20 12 10 1.5 
			 200001 28 27 22 14 9 1.4 
			
			  Head aged 76 to 80 
			 199192 37 25 19 9 9 0.9 
			 199293 35 31 20 7 7 0.9 
			 199394 30 31 21 9 9 0.9 
			 199495 32 26 21 11 9 0.8 
			 199596 38 23 18 12 8 0.8 
			 199697 30 31 21 13 6 0.9 
			 199798 31 28 21 12 7 0.9 
			 199899 36 28 16 13 8 0.9 
			 19992000 32 29 20 12 7 1.0 
			 200001 33 27 19 12 9 1.0 
			  Head aged over 80 
			 199192 32 42 11 8 7 0.5 
			 199293 27 39 17 10 7 0.5 
			 199394 35 27 19 9 10 0.5 
			 199495 32 31 20 10 7 0.6 
			 199596 36 25 20 10 8 0.6 
			 199697 31 33 17 10 9 0.6 
			 199798 28 30 22 12 8 0.6 
			 199899 37 27 12 14 9 0.5 
			 19992000 39 26 22 7 6 0.5 
			 200001 34 30 16 9 10 0.6 
		
	
	
		
			   Net equivalised disposable household income  
			  Bottom quintile Second quintile Third quintile Fourth quintile Top quintile Total 
		
		
			  After housing costs 
			  Pensioner couples 
			 199192 23 28 20 15 14 5.1 
			 199293 20 28 22 16 14 5.2 
			 199394 20 30 22 14 15 5.2 
			 199495 19 28 23 16 13 5.1 
			 199596 19 29 22 16 14 5.1 
			 199697 16 30 22 17 14 5.1 
			 199798 18 29 23 17 13 5.2 
			 199899 18 29 22 16 15 5.2 
			 19992000 18 29 23 16 13 5.2 
			 200001 19 27 22 17 15 5.2 
			
			 of which:   
			  Head aged 70 and under 
			 199192 16 25 23 20 16 2.4 
			 199293 14 27 24 18 16 2.4 
			 199394 14 30 23 15 17 2.3 
			 199495 14 25 26 19 16 2.1 
			 199596 14 25 25 19 17 2.2 
			 199697 12 26 24 21 17 2.2 
			 199798 12 25 24 21 17 2.3 
			 199899 14 24 24 19 19 2.3 
			 19992000 13 25 23 21 18 2.3 
			 200001 14 24 24 21 18 2.2 
			
			  Head aged 71 to 75 
			 199192 26 28 20 12 14 1.3 
			 199293 22 26 21 16 14 1.4 
			 199394 22 31 19 15 13 1.5 
			 199495 20 29 23 16 11 1.6 
			 199596 19 32 22 15 12 1.6 
			 199697 18 31 22 14 14 1.5 
			 199798 20 34 22 13 12 1.4 
			 199899 18 31 23 15 12 1.5 
			 19992000 18 32 24 14 11 1.5 
			 200001 21 28 24 15 13 1.4 
			
			  Head aged 76 to 80 
			 199192 29 29 20 10 11 0.9 
			 199293 31 30 21 11 8 0.9 
			 199394 26 29 23 11 11 0.9 
			 199495 27 29 20 12 12 0.8 
			 199596 26 31 18 13 11 0.8 
			 199697 21 35 21 15 7 0.9 
			 199798 26 28 22 15 9 0.9 
			 199899 24 34 18 13 10 0.9 
			 19992000 20 36 21 13 10 1.0 
			 200001 24 29 21 13 13 1.0 
			  Head aged over 80 
			 199192 38 38 9 9 8 0.5 
			 199293 28 35 16 13 9 0.5 
			 199394 27 31 21 9 12 0.5 
			 199495 26 33 21 12 8 0.6 
			 199596 29 30 20 12 10 0.6 
			 199697 26 36 17 12 10 0.6 
			 199798 24 32 20 15 8 0.6 
			 199899 28 32 14 13 13 0.5 
			 19992000 32 31 22 10 6 0.5 
			 200001 27 35 16 11 11 0.6 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. All figures are estimates and are taken from the Households Below Average Income (HBAI) series. From 199192 to 199394 data are derived from the Family Expenditure Survey (two calendar years combined for 199192 and 199293 and two financial years combined for 199394) and relates to the UK. From 199495 to 200001, data are derived from the Family Resources Survey and represents single financial years. The Family Resources Survey does not include Northern Ireland, and the latest year for which data are available is 200001.
	2. The estimates are sample counts, which have been adjusted for non-response using multipurpose grossing factors. Estimates are subject to both sampling error and to variability in non-response. The income measures used is weekly net (disposable) equivalised household income (that is to say income that is adjusted to reflect the composition of the household).
	3. The estimates are presented on both a Before Housing Costs (BHC) and an After Housing Costs (AHC) basis in line with HBAI conventions. Figures are provided excluding the self-employed, as research suggests that, for self-employed people, income as reported in surveys is often a poor indicator of living standards. HBAI convention is to present results excluding the self-employed, presenting results including the self-employed where the two differ significantly.

Pensions

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of single female pensioners aged (a) 70 and under, (b) 71 to 75, (c) 76 to 80 and (d) over 80 years had an income below 60 per cent. of the median income in each of the last 10 years.

Ian McCartney: The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is provided in the table.
	
		Proportion of single female pensioners below 60 per cent. of median income -- Percentage of pensioners
		
			  Income threshold: 60 per cent. of median  
			  Before housing costs After housing costs 
		
		
			  Including the self-employed 
			 199192 31 42 
			 199293 26 36 
			 199394 25 34 
			 199495 25 33 
			 199596 24 29 
			 199697 25 35 
			 199798 25 34 
			 199899 24 34 
			 19992000 24 32 
			 200001 23 30 
			
			  Excluding the self-employed 
			 199192 29 42 
			 199293 26 36 
			 199394 24 33 
			 199495 24 31 
			 199596 23 28 
			 199697 24 33 
			 199798 24 33 
			 199899 23 32 
			 19992000 24 31 
			 200001 23 29 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. All figures are estimates and are taken from the Households Below Average Income (HBAI) series. From 199192 to 199394 data are derived from the Family Expenditure Survey (two calendar years combined for 199192 and 199293 and two financial years combined for 199394). From 199495 to 200001, data are derived from the Family Resources Survey and represents single financial years. The Family Resources Survey does not include Northern Ireland, and the latest year for which data are available is 200001.
	2. The estimates are sample counts, which have been adjusted for non-response using multipurpose grossing factors that control for tenure, council tax band and a number of other variables. Estimates are subject to both sampling error and to variability in non-response. The income measure used is weekly net (disposable) equivalised household income (that is to say income that is adjusted to reflect the composition of the household).
	3. The estimates are presented on both a Before Housing Costs (BHC) and an After Housing Costs (AHC) basis in line with HBAI conventions. Figures are provided excluding the self-employed, as research suggests that, for self-employed people, income as reported in surveys is often a poor indicator of living standards. HBAI convention is to present results excluding the self-employed, presenting results including the self-employed where the two differ.

Pensions

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what percentage of single male pensioners aged (a) 70 and under, (b) 71 to 75, (c) 76 to 80 and (d) over 80 years had an income in (i) the bottom income quintile, (ii) the second bottom income quintile, (iii) the middle income quintile, (iv) the second top income quintile and (v) the top income quintile, in each of the past 10 years.

Ian McCartney: The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the table.
	
		Percentage distribution of income for single male pensioners, excluding the self-employed
		
			  Net equivalised disposable household income  
			  Bottom quintile Second quintile Third quintile Fourth quintile Top quintile Total 
		
		
			 Before housing costs   
			 199192 21 39 16 11 13 0.9 
			 199293 19 40 16 12 13 0.9 
			 199394 21 37 18 12 12 0.9 
			 199495 21 34 23 12 10 0.9 
			 199596 21 35 23 13 9 0.9 
			 199697 19 31 25 15 10 0.9 
			 199798 21 36 19 15 8 0.9 
			 199899 21 35 21 13 9 0.9 
			 19992000 21 33 21 15 11 1.0 
			 200001 20 33 21 15 10 1.0 
			
			 After housing costs   
			 199192 18 36 16 14 16 0.9 
			 199293 16 40 15 13 17 0.9 
			 199394 15 39 17 13 16 0.9 
			 199495 16 36 19 14 15 0.9 
			 199596 14 39 20 15 13 0.9 
			 199697 14 34 21 18 14 0.9 
			 199798 17 36 19 15 12 0.9 
			 199899 19 33 20 16 12 0.9 
			 19992000 16 35 19 15 15 1.0 
			 200001 17 32 20 16 15 1.0 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. All figures are estimates and are taken from the Households Below Average Income (HBAI) series. From 199192 to 199394 data are derived from the Family Expenditure Survey (two calendar years combined for 199192 to 199203 and two financial years combined for 199394) and relates to the UK. From the 199495 to 200001, data are derived from the Family Resources Survey and represents single financial years. The Family Resources Survey does not include Northern Ireland, and the latest year for which data are available is 200001.
	2. The estimates are sample counts, which have been adjusted for non-response using multipurpose grossing factors. Estimates are subject to both sampling error and to variability in non-response. The income measure used is weekly net (disposable) equivalised household income (that is to say income that is adjusted to reflect the composition of the household).
	3. The estimates are presented on both a Before Housing Costs (BHC) and After Housing Costs (AHC) basis in line with HBAI conventions. Figures are provided excluding the self-employed, as research suggests that, for self-employed people, income as reported in surveys is often a poor indicator of living standards. HBAI convention is to present results excluding the self-employed, presenting results including the self-employed where the two differ significantly.
	4. As a result of the small sample sizes associated with breaking down male pensioners according to age, only the overall distribution has been presented above. While sample sizes are adequate for point-in-time estimates, it is unlikely that a time series would have any validity as a guide to changes over time. The information for 20001 can be found in the publication 'Households Below Average Income 199495 to 200001', a copy of which can be found in the House of Commons Library.

Pensions

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of pensioner couples had an income below 60 per cent. of the median income in each of the last 10 years where the head of the family was aged (a) 70 and under, (b) 71 to 75, (c) 76 to 80 and (d) over 80 years.

Ian McCartney: The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is provided in the tables.
	
		Proportion of individuals in pensioner couples below 60 per cent. of median income, including the self-employed
		
			   Percentage of pensioners  
			 Income threshold: 60 per cent. of median Before housing costs After housing costs 
		
		
			 199192 29 27 
			 199293 24 25 
			 199394 22 25 
			 199495 19 23 
			 199596 21 23 
			 199697 20 22 
			 199798 21 23 
			 199899 23 22 
			 19992000 21 22 
			 200001 22 22 
		
	
	
		Proportion of individuals in pensioner couples below 60 per cent. of median income, excluding the self-employed
		
			   Percentage of pensioners 
			 Income threshold: 60 per cent. of median Before housing costs After housing costs 
		
		
			 199192 28 27 
			 199293 24 25 
			 199394 21 24 
			 199495 18 22 
			 199596 21 23 
			 199697 19 22 
			 199798 20 23 
			 199899 22 22 
			 19992000 20 22 
			 200001 21 21 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. All figures are estimates and are taken from the Households Below Average Income (HBA1) series. From 199192 to 199394 data are derived from the Family Expenditure Survey (two calendar years combined for 199192 and 199293 and two financial years combined for 199394). From 199495 to 200001, data are derived from the Family Resources Survey and represents single financial years. The Family Resources Survey does not include Northern Ireland, and the latest year for which data are available is 200001.
	2. The estimates are sample counts, which have been adjusted for non-response using multi-purpose grossing factors. Estimates are subject to both sampling error and to variability in non-response. The income measure used is weekly net (disposable) equivalised household income (that is to say income that is adjusted to reflect the composition of the household).
	3. The estimates are presented on both a Before Housing Costs (BHC) and an After Housing Costs (AHC) basis in line with HBAI conventions. Figures are provided excluding the self-employed, as research suggests that, for self-employed people, income as reported in surveys is often a poor indicator of living standards. HBAI convention is to present results excluding the self-employed, presenting results including the self-employed where the two differ.

Pensions

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what percentage of single female pensioners aged (a) 70 and under, (b) 71 to 75, (c) 76 to 80 and (d) over 80 years had an income in (i) the bottom income quintile, (ii) the second bottom income quintile, (iii) the middle income quintile, (iv) the second top income quintile and (v) the top income quintile, in each of the past 10 years.

Ian McCartney: The information is in the tables.
	
		Percentage distribution of income for single female pensioners by age, excluding the self-employed
		
			  Net equivalised disposable household income  
			 Before housing costs: Bottom quintile Second quintile Third quintile Fourth quintile Top quintile Total 
		
		
			 Single female pensioners   
			 199192 29 38 16 9 8 3.5 
			 199293 27 40 16 10 7 3.4 
			 199394 27 37 17 12 7 3.4 
			 199495 29 35 18 12 6 3.3 
			 199596 28 34 19 14 6 3.2 
			 199697 27 34 20 12 7 3.2 
			 199798 27 33 20 13 7 3.2 
			 199899 27 33 21 13 6 3.2 
			 19992000 27 31 21 14 7 3.1 
			 200001 27 33 20 13 6 3.1 
			
			 of which: aged 70 and under   
			 199192 24 36 18 11 11 1.2 
			 199293 22 37 19 11 10 1.1 
			 199394 21 38 18 12 11 1.1 
			 199495 23 35 19 13 10 1.1 
			 199596 23 35 19 15 8 1.0 
			 199697 22 34 22 13 8 1.0 
			 199798 20 33 22 16 9 1.0 
			 199899 22 33 22 14 9 1.0 
			 19992000 21 33 22 14 10 1.0 
			 200001 24 33 21 14 9 1.0 
			
			 aged 71 to 75   
			 199192 35 34 13 11 7 0.7 
			 199293 31 39 15 10 6 0.8 
			 199394 33 36 14 12 5 0.7 
			 199495 28 36 19 11 6 0.7 
			 199596 27 34 20 14 5 0.8 
			 199697 28 36 18 12 6 0.7 
			 199798 29 35 19 11 6 0.6 
			 199899 31 35 19 11 4 0.7 
			 19992000 31 31 20 13 4 0.6 
			 200001 25 35 21 13 6 0.6 
			   
			 aged 76 to 80   
			 199192 30 42 13 8 6 0.8 
			 199293 31 41 13 10 6 0.8 
			 199394 32 40 16 9 4 0.7 
			 199495 33 37 16 11 3 0.6 
			 199596 34 34 17 11 4 0.6 
			 199697 30 35 19 9 6 0.6 
			 199798 31 32 21 10 6 0.7 
			 199899 28 36 19 13 5 0.7 
			 19992000 30 34 19 12 4 0.7 
			 200001 29 34 19 14 4 0.7 
			
			 aged over 80   
			 199192 31 39 16 6 8 0.8 
			 199293 28 42 17 8 5 0.8 
			 199394 28 36 18 12 5 0.9 
			 199495 33 32 18 12 5 0.9 
			 199596 30 32 19 14 5 0.9 
			 199697 29 32 21 13 5 0.8 
			 199798 30 31 20 13 5 0.9 
			 199899 29 31 21 15 5 0.8 
			 19992000 28 27 23 16 6 0.8 
			 200001 30 31 20 13 6 0.8 
		
	
	
		Percentage distribution of income for single female pensioners by age, excluding the self-employed
		
			  Net equivalised disposable household income  
			 After housing costs: Bottom quintile Second quintile Third quintile Fourth quintile Top quintile Total 
		
		
			 Single female pensioners   
			 199192 27 35 15 12 11 3.5 
			 199293 22 39 17 12 10 3.4 
			 199394 22 39 17 13 10 3.4 
			 199495 23 38 16 13 9 3.3 
			 199596 20 38 18 15 9 3.2 
			 199697 18 39 19 14 9 3.2 
			 199798 22 35 19 15 9 3.2 
			 199899 23 32 21 15 9 3.2 
			 19992000 22 32 20 16 10 3.1 
			 200001 23 31 21 15 10 3.1 
			
			 of which: aged 70 and under   
			 199192 25 29 18 13 15 1.2 
			 199293 21 34 17 13 16 1.1 
			 199394 19 34 18 13 16 1.1 
			 199495 20 34 18 15 13 1.1 
			 199596 19 36 19 14 13 1.0 
			 199697 17 35 19 16 12 1.0 
			 199798 19 30 20 18 13 1.0 
			 199899 19 29 23 15 14 1.0 
			 19992000 20 29 21 14 16 1.0 
			 200001 22 29 20 15 13 1.0 
			
			 aged 71 to 75   
			 199192 30 37 11 12 11 0.7 
			 199293 26 39 14 14 7 0.8 
			 199394 29 35 15 11 10 0.7 
			 199495 24 39 16 13 8 0.7 
			 199596 19 36 21 14 9 0.8 
			 199697 19 40 19 13 9 0.7 
			 199798 24 36 17 14 8 0.6 
			 199899 29 33 17 14 6 0.7 
			 19992000 24 33 19 16 7 0.6 
			 200001 24 26 24 16 9 0.6 
			
			 aged 76 to 80   
			 199192 32 37 12 12 8 0.8 
			 199293 23 43 16 9 8 0.8 
			 199394 20 45 19 10 6 0.7 
			 199495 27 42 14 12 5 0.6 
			 199596 23 42 15 13 7 0.6 
			 199697 20 42 19 12 8 0.6 
			 199798 22 38 19 13 8 0.7 
			 199899 25 33 20 16 7 0.7 
			 19992000 24 35 20 15 7 0.7 
			 200001 21 34 22 15 8 0.7 
			
			 aged over 80   
			 199192 23 40 18 10 9 0.8 
			 199293 20 43 19 10 7 0.8 
			 199394 19 43 16 15 8 0.9 
			 199495 23 40 17 13 7 0.9 
			 199596 21 37 18 17 7 0.9 
			 199697 18 41 19 16 7 0.8 
			 199798 23 37 18 15 7 0.9 
			 199899 19 36 20 17 7 0.8 
			 19992000 20 33 20 18 8 0.8 
			 200001 24 34 20 15 8 0.8 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. All figures are estimates and are taken from the Households Below Average Income (HBAI) series. From 199192 to 199394 data are derived from the Family Expenditure Survey (two calendar years combined for 199192 and 199293 and two financial years combined for 199394) and relates to the UK. From 199495 to 200001, data are derived from the Family Resources Survey and represents single financial years. The Family Resources Survey does not include Northern Ireland, and the latest year for which data are available is 200001.
	2. The estimates are sample counts, which have been adjusted for non-response using multi-purpose grossing factors. Estimates are subject to both sampling error and to variability in non-response. The income measure used is weekly net (disposable) equivalised household income (that is to say income that is adjusted to reflect the composition of the household).
	3. The estimates are presented on both a Before Housing Costs (BHC) and an After Housing Costs (AHC) basis in line with HBAI conventions. Figures are provided excluding the self-employed, as research suggests that, for self-employed people, income as reported in surveys is often a poor indicator of living standards. HBAI convention is to present results excluding the self-employed, presenting results including the self-employed where the two differ significantly.

Pensions

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of pensioner households had an income below 60 per cent. of the median income in each of the last 10 years.

Ian McCartney: Such information as is available can be found in the publication Households Below Average Income 199495 to 200001 a copy of which is held in the Library.

Social Fund

David Marshall: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when the Social Fund limits were last increased; and if he will make a statement as to when he next expects them to be increased.

Malcolm Wicks: The gross national budget for social fund loans and grants is decided in time for allocations to be made to each district from 1 April each year. The setting and allocation of the 200203 budget has already taken place. At 627 million, the April 2002 budget represents an increase of 6.4 million over the budget set in April 2001. The size of the gross national budget will be reviewed against next year.

Staff Numbers

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many staff have been employed by his Department in each of the last 10 years.

Ian McCartney: The Department for Work and Pensions was formed in June 2001 and figures have been supplied from employment services and DSS legacy systems. Information for earlier years is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	
		
			 Date Staff employed 
		
		
			 31 December 1998 139,820 
			 31 December 1999 131,539 
			 31 December 2000 130,799 
			 31 December 2001 134,489

Solar Panels

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what buildings owned by his Department have solar panels installed.

Malcolm Wicks: Five of the buildings we occupy under the terms of the PRIME PFI agreement do have solar panels installed. These buildings are all located in the west country:
	BournemouthCotlands road
	Truro
	PlymouthDurley
	ExeterClarendon
	PenzanceBranwell.

Royal Mail Benefit Scheme

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many local authorities are operating the Royal Mail Do Not Redirect benefit mail scheme.

Malcolm Wicks: 367 of the 408 local authorities administering housing benefit, representing 90 per cent. of the total, use the official Do Not Redirect scheme, stopping housing benefit fraudsters claiming from a false address. Some authorities have established similar schemes locally with Royal Mail. We are keen to see all authorities using Do Not Redirect and will continue to encourage the remaining authorities to do so.

Family Allowances

Dave Watts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will disregard family allowances in benefit calculations.

Malcolm Wicks: There are no plans to disregard child benefit in the calculation of entitlement to income related benefits. Although the Government have not changed the way that entitlement to income support and income based jobseeker's allowance is calculated, low income families have gained substantially from increases in the allowances for children in these benefits. For example, a couple on income support with two children under the age of 11 is 2,000 a year better off in real terms than they would have been in 1997.
	Further, as my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced recently, we plan to increase the child allowances in the income related benefits by a further 3.50 per week from October 2002.
	In the longer term, the new child tax credit, to be introduced from April 2003 will build on the foundations of the universal child benefit to provide a seamless system of support for low income families. It will replace the children's allowances in income support and income based jobseeker's allowance and these benefits will no longer be affected by payments of child benefit. The child tax credit will, alongside child benefit, provide child support of 54.25 a week for the first child in families with an income of less than 13,000 a year.

Incapacity Benefit

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of claims for incapacity benefit were unsuccessful in each of the last three years for which figures are available.

Nick Brown: The information is in the table.
	
		Proportion of unsuccessful incapacity benefit (IB) claims
		
			  Percentage of unsuccessful IB claims as a proportion of claims received 
		
		
			 1 April 1999 to 31 March 2000(23) 51 
			 1 April 2000 to 31 March 2001 51 
			 1 April 2001 to 31 March 2002 52 
		
	
	(23) The underlying data for the period 1 April 1999 to 31 May 1999 only include claims that were unsuccessful because they failed the contribution test. The underlying data from 1 June 1999 onwards include claims that were unsuccessful because they failed the contribution test or were withdrawn, and claims where no medical evidence was received or where the person claimed while living abroad in a country which does not have a reciprocal social security agreement.
	Notes:
	1. People whose IB claims are unsuccessful can go on the receive national insurance credits only.
	2. The number of unsuccessful IB claims may refer to a slightly different time period to the number of claims received.
	Source:
	The underlying data are taken from 100 per cent. counts supplied by the Department's Central Data Unit.

Incapacity Benefit

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people claimed incapacity benefit in the York and North Yorkshire area in (a) 1997, (b) 1999, (c) 2000 and (d) 2001.

Nick Brown: pursuant to his reply, 6 March 2002, c. 411W
	The available information is in the table.
	
		Number of people claiming incapacity benefit (IB) in the City of York and North Yorkshire local authority areas
		
			  York North Yorkshire(24) 
		
		
			 31 August 1997 4,700 14,300 
			 31 August 1999 4,500 14,000 
			 31 August 2000 4,800 13,900 
			 31 August 2001 4,900 14,600 
		
	
	(24) North Yorkshire includes Craven, Hambleton, Harrogate, Richmondshire, Ryedale, Scarborough and Selby.
	Note:
	Figures are rounded to the nearest hundred.
	Source:
	Figures are taken from a 5 per cent. sample of the incapacity benefit computer system and exclude a small number of cases held clerically.

Information and Communication Sector (Vacancies)

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what information he has concerning the total number of vacancies which arise annually for higher level skilled employees in the information and communications technology sector; what estimate he has made of the number of those positions which are filled by overseas applicants; and what plans he has to address these issues.

Nick Brown: Comprehensive data on national notified vacancies and the number of these vacancies filled by overseas applicants are not centrally available.

New Deal for Young People

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions by what means Employment Services assess the costs required to provide different kinds of training in allocating funds to new deal for young people training providers.

Nick Brown: The national funding rates for new deal for young people training provision are based on they type, length and occupational area covered by that provision. The rates are banded by occupational area to allow for higher payments for more expensive training. The amounts paid are based on historical data and the rates are broadly consistent with those of the Learning and Skills Council.

Training Providers

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the effect of the implementation of formula funding on the general level of funds available to training providers.

Nick Brown: The introduction of formula funding for new deal provision has not created an additional restriction on the overall level of funds available to individual training providers. Subject to their satisfactory performance, the majority of providers will receive levels of income similar to those they received previously. However, successful providers can enhance their earning considerably by increasing the number of clients they help into sustained employment.

Andrew Palmer

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  when the Chief Executive of the Child Support Agency will send a substantive reply to the letter of 29 January from my hon. Friend the Member for Thurrock (Andrew Mackinlay) concerning his constituent, Andrew Palmer of East Tilbury;
	(2)  when and in what terms the Child Support Agency apologised to Andrew Palmer of East Tilbury; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: The administration of the child Support Agency is a mater for the Chief Executive, Mr. Doug Smith. He will write to the hon. Member.
	Letter from Doug Smith to Andrew Mackinlay, dated 1 May 2002
	The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in replying to your Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency promised a substantive reply by me to the operational aspects. I'm sorry about the long delay in providing this.
	You ask two questions, firstly, when and in what terms the Child Support Agency apologised to Andrew Palmer of East Tilbury and if the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions will make a statement. Secondly, when I will send a substantive reply to your letter of the 29th January concerning your constituent Andrew Palmer.
	I replied to your letter on 6th March 2002 and on the same day wrote in similar terms to Mr Palmer, my letter to you included the words;
	I apologise for the Agency's incorrect approach to your constituent, which I have now established arose as a result of an error many years ago in allocating your constituents National Insurance number to another person.

Child Support

Archy Kirkwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will place in the Library a copy of (a) each of the CSA's monthly Business Information Bulletins since April 2001, (b) the CSA Board's quarterly review of its progress, (c) the CSA's Risk Management Framework and Report on Risk Management for and (d) the CSA's Latest Controls report from December 2001.

Malcolm Wicks: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive, Mr. Doug Smith. He will write to the hon. Member.
	Letter from Doug Smith to Mr. Kirkwood, dated 1 May 2002
	The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in replying to your Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency promised a substantive reply by me. I'm sorry about the long delay in providing this.
	You have asked for a copy of each of the following to be place in the library:
	(a) each of the CSA's monthly Business Information Bulletins since April 2001,
	(b) the CSA board's quarterly review of its progress,
	(c) the CSA's risk management framework and reports on risk management,
	(d) the CSA's latest control report from December 2001.
	I am anxious to place as much material as possible in the public domain and thereby open ourselves to public scrutiny. However I also need to balance this against the harm that release of the information could have in two areas:
	 First, where the code of practice on access to government information exempts from disclosure information whose disclosure would harm the frankness and candour of internal discussion, including: internal opinion, advice, recommendation, consultation and deliberation; projections and assumptions relating to internal policy analysis; analysis of alternative policy options and information relating to rejected policy options.
	 Secondly, in the area of effective management and operations of the public service where the relevant code exemption can embrace information relating to the conduct of tests, examinations or audits conducted by a Department where disclosure of the methods used might prejudice the effectiveness of the tests or the attainments of their objectives.
	I have carefully considered the four documents (or sets of documents) against those criteria. I do not believe that within that guidance it would be appropriate to release
	(a) The CSA's monthly Business Information Bulletins. These are internally produced documents flagging month by month updates focused on issues and risks. They are written openly and frankly and it's effectiveness would be significantly constrained if the authors were aware that it would be publicly disclosed. This appears to fall within the first area described above.
	(b) The quarterly review of progress. This is a standing agenda item for the Board and is not, as such a document. There are a number of documents commenting on different areas but my ability to release those documents is constrained by the factors mentioned in my previous paragraph. This also appears to fall within the first area described above.
	(c) I am content to place the CSA's risk management framework within the library. I do not believe that the report on risk management, which review our internal controls, should be released. This appears to fall within the second area described above.
	(d) I do not believe the CSA's latest controls report which by definition review our internal controls should be released. This also appears to fall within the second area described above.
	If you are not satisfied with my reasons for not giving you the rest of the information, please tell me why. If you are still not satisfied after we have looked at your request again, you can approach the Ombudsman, who will be able to see all the relevant papers and decide whether the decision is fair.
	I am sorry if this reply appears negative. I would be happy to meet with you and colleagues on DWP Select Committee to discuss how I might provide you with briefings covering the substance of these reports, perhaps informally on a regular basis.

Child Support

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many assessments have been made by the Child Support Agency within (a) one month, (b) two to six months, (c) seven to 12 months, (d) one to two years and (e) more than two years of application in each year since the Agency's creation.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 18 April 2002
	The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mr. Doug Smith. He will write to the hon. Member.
	Letter from Doug Smith to Andrew Turner, dated 1 May 2002
	The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in replying to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency promised a substantive reply to me.
	You ask, how many assessments have been made by the Child Support Agency within (a) one month (b) two to six months (c) seven to 12 months (d) one to two years and (e) more than two years of application in each year since the Agency's creation.
	I am sorry but the information you have requested is only available from 1998. The figures in the table below are extrapolated from a sample of 5 per cent. of the live cases on our computer system. They are therefore subject to a small degree of sampling error. As a result, whilst the figures I am quoting are statistically valid, they will not match exactly previously published figures for assessments made in the years in question.
	
		Maintenance Assessments made
		
			 Year to 31 March 1999 2000 2001 
		
		
			 Under one month 8,300 4,000 2,300 
			 Within two to six months 77,600 62,500 41,800 
			 Within seven to twelve months 39,800 33,800 25,300 
			 Within one to two years 25,200 17,200 17,400 
			 Over two years 48,700 14,100 12,000 
		
	
	I do not yet have similar information available to 31 March 2002. I can tell you that for the period 1 April 200131 March 2002, 53,644 assessments were made within 20 weeks of receiving an application, 33,612 between 20 and 52 weeks and 19,209 over 52 weeks.
	I hope this is helpful.

Child Support

Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what was the average number of employees working for the Child Support Agency in each of the last five years;
	(2)  what the staff turnover was for each grade of employee working for the Child Support Agency in the last 12 months;
	(3)  how many appeals were made to the Parliamentary Ombudsman regarding the Child Support Agency in the last 12 months.

Malcolm Wicks: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive, Mr. Doug Smith. He will write to the hon. Member.
	Letter from Doug Smith to Mark Tami, dated 1 May 2002
	The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in replying to your Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency promised a substantive reply by me. I'm sorry about the long delay in providing this.
	You ask three questions: one, what was the average number of employees working for the Child Support Agency in each of the last five years, two, what the staff turnover was for each grade of employee working for the Child Support Agency in the last 12 months and three, how many appeals were made to the Parliamentary Ombudsman regarding the Child Support Agency in the last 12 months.
	Table 1 on the attached annex shows the staff in post figures, which are based on an average of the year, commencing January to December. Figures shown are the amount of staff based on a headcount (which includes part time staff), also the number of whole time equivalent staff. The higher figure for 2001 reflect additional staff currently employed within the Child Support Reform Project. These figures do not include work undertaken for us in Belfast by Northern Ireland Child Support Agency staff.
	Table 2 on the attached annex is the number of staff who have left the Agency between January 2001 to December 2001. These figures include staff who have moved to another part of Government as well as those who have resigned from the public service.
	From 1st January 2001 to 31st December 2001 the Parliamentary Ombudsman received 136 requests for investigation regarding Child Support Agency cases.
	I hope this is helpful.
	
		Annex 1 Table 1: The average number of staff in post for each of the last five years
		
			 Year Whole-time equivalent Headcount 
		
		
			 2001 9,486.78 10,292 
			 2000 8,720.75 9,298 
			 1999 8,442.03 9,305 
			 1998 8,271.08 9,067 
			 1997 8,502.02 9,312 
		
	
	Source:
	Corporate Services Division. Department of Work and Pensions
	
		Table 2: Staff turnover 1 January 2001 to 31 December 2001
		
			   Total leavers  
			 Grade Staff transferring to other Government department or agency Staff leaving the civil service Total 
		
		
			 Administrative Assistant 45 365 410 
			 Support Grade 1 1 10 11 
			 Administrative Officer 198 768 966 
			 Executive Officer 141 98 239 
			 Higher Executive Officer 55 17 72 
			 Senior Executive Officer 16 4 20 
			 Grade 7 4 0 4 
			 Grade 6 0 1 1 
			  
			 Total 460 1,263 1,723 
		
	
	Source:
	Corporate Services Division. Department of Work and Pensions

Child Support

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many non-resident parents the CSA calculates have (a) 0 per cent. maintenance liability and (b) a net income of less than 100 per week;
	(2)  what the average percentage of net income paid in child support maintenance by the non-resident parent under the CSA system is for (a) one child, (b) two children and (c) three children;
	(3)  what the (a) number and (b) percentage of those in receipt of CSA child support maintenance who are also in receipt of (i) income support and (ii) income-based jobseekers' allowance is.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 12 March 2002
	The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mr. Doug Smith. He will write to the hon. Member.
	Letter from Doug Smith to Steve Webb, dated 1 May 2002
	The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in replying to your Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency promised a substantive reply by me. I'm sorry about the long delay in providing this.
	You ask three questions;
	What is the number and percentage of those in receipt of Child Support Agency maintenance who are also in receipt of (i) Income Support and (ii) Jobseekers Allowance (Income Based);
	How many non-resident parents the Child Support Agency currently calculates have (i) 0 per cent maintenance liability and (ii) a net income of less than 100 per week;
	What is the average percentage of net income paid in child support maintenance by the non-resident parent under the Child Support Agency system for (a) one child, (b) two children and (c) three children.
	The figures I have used in this reply have been taken from the Quarterly Summary of Child Support Agency statistics, a copy of which is placed in the House of Commons library the figures referred to below are all as at November 2001.
	There were 380,900 parents with care with full maintenance assessments in receipt of child support maintenance who are also in receipt of Income Support, (37.4% of the total number of parents with care), and 8,600 in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance (Income Based), (0.8% of the total number of parents with care).
	There were 497,400 non-resident parents with a nil maintenance assessment. At the same date there were 506,900 non-resident parents who had a net income for assessment purposes of less than 100 per week.
	The mean average percentage of net income (as currently defined) paid by a non-resident parent is 15% where one child is involved, 18% where two children are involved and 19% where three or more children are involved. This excludes cases where the net income for maintenance assessment purposes is nil.
	It should be noted that the definition of net income in the current scheme differs significantly from that in the new arrangements in the Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act 2000.
	Under the new scheme we will take account of the earned income of the non-resident parent, including overtime, bonus and commission, together with tax credits and income from occupational pensions. Deductions for tax, national insurance and pension contributions will be made.
	Under the current scheme, we allow deductions for half of the pension contributions and we take account of other sources of income such as child benefit, contributory and non-contributory benefits, income from property or capital, housing benefit and council tax benefit.
	Not all of these other sources of income will be ignored entirely in the new scheme. A non-resident parent who, for example, receives Incapacity Benefit will be required to pay maintenance at a flat rate of 5 per week. And, where a non-resident parent has substantial property or capital assets, the parent with care may apply for a variation to the maintenance calculation.

Vinyl Chloride Monomer

Harry Barnes: To ask the Secretary for Work and Pensions when he is due to receive the report of the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council on whether vinyl chloride monomer should be added to the prescribed list for industrial injuries disablement benefit; and when it is proposed to publish (a) the report and (b) the response of the Minister.

Nick Brown: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Tottenham (Mr. Lammy) on 14 February 2002, Official Report, column 635W.

HEALTH

Child and Family Support Service

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funding has gone into the Child and Family Support Service since 1997.

Jacqui Smith: Between 199697 and 200203 resources for personal social services in England increased by over 20 per cent. in real terms. Councils determine what proportion of their overall resources, including this increase, is to be spent on children and family support services.

Child and Family Support Service

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Child and Family Support Service; and what plans he has to increase cooperation with local authorities and improve access to services.

Jacqui Smith: Local authorities provide a wide range of services to support children and their families. The Social Services Inspectorate systematically assesses the performance of all local councils with social services responsibilities, evaluating the quality of services experienced by users and carers and monitoring the implementation of Government policy for social services.
	In 1999 we published an overview report of the inspection programme of family support services in eight authorities. The report was entitled Getting Family Support Right and showed that 80 per cent. of families expressed satisfaction with the family support services they had received. At the same time we published a six-page pamphlet for front line staff called Key messages for practitioners and first-line managers, which summarised the key findings of inspection assessments and disseminated examples of good practice.
	Multi-agency working is a key element of the Government's five year 885 million quality protects programme which is improving the management and delivery of children's social services. The Government have set national objectives to improve outcomes for children and young people in need and local authorities are expected to show steady improvement towards the achievement of these in their annual quality protects management action plans.
	The three cross Government programmes to tackle the social exclusion of children: Sure Start; The Children's Fund; and Connexions; all involve co-operation and multi-agency partnership working by a range of statutory and voluntary sector agencies, to ensure that children and family support services are accessible and effective.

Mount Vernon Hospital

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which NHS agencies (a) own the Mount Vernon hospital estate and (b) are responsible for services provided there; and if he will list the chief executive and board members of each of these agencies.

John Hutton: The Mount Vernon hospital estate is held by Hillingdon NHS Trust on behalf of the Secretary of State for Health.
	Services at Mount Vernon hospital are provided by Hillingdon NHS Trust and West Hertfordshire hospitals NHS Trust.
	The board members of West Hertfordshire hospitals NHS Trust are:
	Rosie Sanderson Chairwoman
	Val Harrison Chief Executive
	Ritu Chabra Non-Executive Director
	Robin Douglas Non-Executive Director
	Neil Marshall Non-Executive Director
	Said Namdarkhan Non-Executive Director
	Barbara Saunders Non-Executive Director
	Howard Borkett-Jones Medical Director
	Ken Sharp Acting Director of Finance
	Clare Mooney Acting Director of Human Resources
	Gillian Hooper Director of Nursing
	David Law Director of Strategic Planning
	Nigel Coomber Director of Operations
	Ann Donkin Director of Modernisation and Performance (from May 2002).
	The board members of Hillingdon NHS Trust are:
	Steve Coventry Chairman
	David McVittie Chief Executive
	Ann Chapman Non-Executive Director
	Tony Valentine Non-Executive Director
	Obaid Siddiqui Non-Executive Director
	Christine Beatty Non-Executive Director
	Linda Warren Non-Executive Director
	Clare Panniker Director of Operations
	Paul Wratten Director of Finance
	Corinne Hall Director of Nursing
	Stephen Meechan Director of Information and Commissioning
	Diana Rimmer Medical Director.

Mount Vernon Hospital

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to sell off part of the Mount Vernon estate.

John Hutton: There are currently no plans to dispose of the Mount Vernon hospital estate.

Obesity

Roger Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department gives to directors of public health and general practitioners about the appropriate use of (a) traditional diets, (b) exercise, (c) formula slimming foods, (d) surgery and (e) slimming drugs, as part of the strategic response to the problem of overweight and obesity.

Yvette Cooper: holding answer 18 April 2002
	The balance of good health food model, which is based on current Government guidelines for healthy eating, has been widely disseminated.
	The national quality assurance framework for exercise referral systems was published in April 2001. General practitioners were notified of the guidelines through the GP bulletin, which is sent to all GPs in England. The document offers guidance to primary care and fitness professionals, who work together to offer tailored exercise and physical activity programmes to patients whose health would benefit from increased exercise.
	In 1987, a committee on medical aspects of food and nutrition policy (COMA) report was published on very low calorie diets (VLCD). The report highlighted that a major criticism of VLCDs is that individuals frequently re-gain any weight lost after the diet has ended. A recent report by the Royal College of Physicians (RCP 1998) on clinical management of overweight and obese patients supported the findings of the COMA panel.
	The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) has provided guidance on two anti-obesity drugs sibutramine and orlistat. Their guidance means patients can expect more equal access to these drugs in the future.
	NICE is currently reviewing the clinical effectiveness and cost effectiveness of surgery for morbid obesity, and is due to report later this year.

Drug Inquiries (Liaison)

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether NICE and Scottish NICE are allowed to liaise with each other about similarities and parallel inquiries into a particular drug.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 18 April 2002
	We would expect the National Institute of Clinical Excellence to work with any experts and health bodies it deems appropriate in order to deliver robust guidance to the national health service in England and Wales.

Speech Therapists

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many posts for speech therapists in (a) the national health service and (b) each relevant trust are unfilled.

John Hutton: holding answer 18 April 2002
	The information requested has been placed in the Library.

Anaemia

Dai Havard: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the advice from the British Committee for Standards in Haematology relating to blood transfusions and patients with chronic anaemia;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the advice for the British Committee for Standards in Haematology on the benefits for chronic anaemia patients of maintaining haemoglobin levels at more than 12 g/dl.

Yvette Cooper: The publication of guidelines from the British Committee for Standards in Haematology in 2001 provides specific advice to clinicians. The type of treatment offered to chronic anaemia patients is a matter of individual clinical judgment and discussion with the patient concerned. The Department encourages the production of local protocols, which use existing guidance produced from a sound evidence based and clinical consensus.

Smallpox

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the amounts of smallpox vaccine necessary to treat the whole population in the event of a terrorist biological attack.

John Hutton: The number of vaccine doses required to cover the population would be approximately 60 million.

Smallpox

Tam Dalyell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of the population would be expected to contract smallpox on a transmission ratio of (a) 4 to 6 and (b) 10 to 12.

John Hutton: holding answer 26 March 2002
	Crude estimates of the number of people that might contract smallpox following one initial case with prompt and vigorous public health intervention, assuming a United Kingdom population of 60 million are:
	for a transmission rate of 1:46 (mean 5) 34 cases (0.00006 per cent. of the population)
	for a transmission rate of 1:1012 (mean 11) 11,800 cases (0.02 per cent. of the population).
	Rates of 1012 would be more likely to occur only at the very start of an outbreak before public health interventions were implemented. Lower transmission rates would apply thereafter.

Hospital Standards

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what safeguards are in place to maintain standards for waiting times and other services for patients of the host hospital trust when two trusts enter into a contractual agreement for services.

John Hutton: The NHS Plan clearly sets out the waiting times standards for both in-patients and out-patients and the staged improvements to be made each year. It is the responsibility of commissioners, including national health service trusts, to ensure that any contractual agreements entered into meet the extant waiting time standards set out in the NHS Plan.
	The Department regularly collects data from the NHS to monitor progress and achievement towards the NHS Plan targets.

Organ Donation

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the benefits of conducting targeted campaigns to encourage organ donation.

Jacqui Smith: The South Asian Campaign was launched in 1999. Research into the attitudes on general health issues and organ donation in particular helped to inform the development of this campaign. An evaluation of the campaign was carried out in October 2000 and this helped to inform phase III which was launched last September.
	The black campaign was launched in March 2002. The campaign focuses on the fact that black people are three times as likely to develop kidney failure and that under 1 per cent. of organ donors are black. Research to help develop this campaign was undertaken through Central Office of Information Communications. The Department will monitor the progress of the campaign carefully.

Organ Donation

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many Black and Asian organ donors there were in each of the past 10 years.

Jacqui Smith: Number of Black and Asian organ donors in the last 10 years in the United Kingdom is shown in the table.
	
		
			 Year Black/ Black British As percentage of adonors where ethnic origin recorded Asian/ Asian British As percentage of donors where ethnic origin recorded 
		
		
			 1995 0 0.0 9 4.7 
			 1996 2 0.7 13 4.7 
			 1997 2 0.7 3 1.1 
			 1998 5 1.9 2 0.8 
			 1999 4 1.5 3 1.1 
			 2000 3 0.4 11 1.5 
			 2001 6 0.8 7 0.9 
			 2002(25) 3 1.5 2 1.0 
		
	
	(25) To 24 April 2002
	The ethnic origin of donors only started being recorded on the National Transplant Database in 1995 and in the years 199599 there are still many cases where the ethnic origin is not recorded so the figures for these years may be underestimated.

Pariamentary Questions

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many named day written questions were tabled between 1 November 2001 and 26 March 2002; and how many that received a holding answer were given a substantive answer (a) within three days, (b) within seven days, (c) within 14 days, (d) within 28 days and (e) over 28 days;
	(2)  how many named day written questions were tabled between 1 November 2000 and 26 March 2001; and how many that received a holding answer were given a substantive answer (a) within three days, (b) within seven days, (c) within 14 days, (d) within 28 days and (e) over 28 days;
	(3)  how many named day written parliamentary questions tabled between (a) 1 November 2000 and 26 March 2001 and (b) 1 November 2001 and 26 March 2002 received (i) a substantive answer on the named day and (ii) a holding answer.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 25 April 2002
	1,887 named day written questions were tabled to this Department between 1 November 2001 and 26 March 2002. A manual count shows that around 50 per cent. received a holding reply.
	985 named day written questions were tabled to this Department between 1 November 2000 and 26 March 2001. A manual count shows that around 45 per cent. received a holding reply.
	The information on the current database does not support the further analysis sought, which could be obtained only by a manual count and which would incur a disproportionate cost. We are developing an improved database capable of providing more sophisticated analysis of information which should be introduced before the next parliamentary Session.

Ministerial Training

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been spent by his Department on training in leadership skills for Ministers and officials in each of the last five years.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 26 April 2002
	The Department spent approximately 5.7 million training and developing its staff in 200001. Leadership is often one element of a wider personal development programme. Information on the amount attributed to development of leadership skills from such programmes could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Ministerial Training

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been spent by his Department on training by the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts for Ministers and officials in each of the last five years.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 26 April 2002
	The Department's records indicate that the Department has not paid for any Minister or official to receive training from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in any of the last five years.

Suicide

Julia Drown: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the National Suicide Prevention Strategy will address the issue of assisted suicide; and if he will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: The National Suicide Prevention Strategy for England, launched on 26 April for public consultation, does not address the issue of assisted suicide.
	We have no plans to change the law in this respect.

Scanners

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many MRI scanners there are in London.

John Hutton: There are approximately 47 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners installed in the national health service in London. It is estimated that there are a further 20 MRI scanners installed in the private sector in London.

Disability Facilities

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy that no elderly or disabled person should have to wait more than six months for aids and adaptations to enable them to take a bath or shower.

Jacqui Smith: Community equipment services that provide aids and adaptations determine local standards for assessing and responding to clients' needs. The national project to integrate health and social services' equipment services encourages those services to review and improve their standards with the expectation that they will use the new funding for these services announced in January 2001 to make waiting times as short as possible.

Care Homes

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many care home places there were in Wiltshire in (a) 1997 and (b) at the latest date for which figures are available.

Jacqui Smith: Information on the number of places in residential and nursing care homes in Wiltshire at 31 March 1997 and 2001 is shown in the table.
	
		Residential and nursing care places in Wiltshire(26)at 31 March -- Rounded numbers
		
			   1997 2001 
		
		
			 Residential places 4,510 3,990 
			 Nursing places (27)2,220 2,060 
			  
			 Total 6,730 6,050 
		
	
	(26) Figures are based on boundaries prior to local government reorganisation on 1 April 1997 and so for 2001 include Swindon unitary authority.
	(27) Information relates to registered beds during the period 1 October 1996 to 31 March 1997.
	Source:
	Department of Health's annual returns.

Care Homes

Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what change there has been in the number of care home beds in the Eastern Cheshire Primary Care Trust area since 1997.

Jacqui Smith: Information on care home places is not available at primary care trust level. The table shows the number of residential and nursing places in Cheshire at 31 March each year.
	
		Residential and nursing care places in Cheshire, 1997 to 2001 -- At 31 Marchrounded numbers, rates
		
			   1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 
		
		
			 Residential places(28) 5,090 5,320 5,360 5,730 5,530 
			 Nursing places(29) (30)5,390 5,910 5,750 5,560 5,470 
			  
			 Total 10,480 11,240 11,110 11,290 11,000 
			 Percentage change  7 -1 2 -3 
		
	
	(28) Information is based on the boundaries for Cheshire county council prior to local government re-organisation on 1 April 1998. Information for 1999 onwards therefore includes Halton and Warrington unitary authorities.
	(29) Information is presented for North Cheshire and South Cheshire health authorities
	(30) Information for 1997 relates to registered beds during the period 1 October 1996 to 31 March 1997
	Source:
	Department of Health's annual returns

British Red Cross

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what financial support his Department has given since 1 April 2000 to projects run by the British Red Cross.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 26 April 2002
	The British Red Cross was awarded a Section 64 grant for a three year project in the intermediate care programme at 122,000 for 200102, 122,000 for 200203 and 100,000 for 200304, to be paid with equal matched funding from the Home Office's Active Community Unit.

Press Subscriptions

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the newspapers subscribed to (a) Monday to Saturday and (b) on Sunday by his Department, stating for each subscription (i) the number of copies taken, and (ii) the annual cost.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 26 April 2002
	The newspapers subscribed to by the Department in 2002, the number of copies and the annual cost of each subscription are shown in the table.
	
		
			 Newspaper Monday Friday Saturday Sunday Approx. annual cost per title () 
		
		
			 Birmingham Post 3 2  331.20 
			 Daily Mail 14 2  1,603.20 
			 Daily Mirror 12 1  1,081.44 
			 Daily Star 7 1  579.60 
			 Daily Telegraph 16 6  2,452.80 
			 Evening Standard 23   2,125.20 
			 Express 13 2  1,255.80 
			 Financial Times 20 6  5,568 
			 Guardian 20 6  3,048 
			 Independent 21 6  3,157.20 
			 Independent on Sunday   5 288 
			 Mail on Sunday   4 211.20 
			 Manchester Evening News 1   276 
			 Morning Star 3 3  792 
			 News of the World   2 62.4 
			 Northern Daily Echo 1   76.80 
			 Observer   5 288 
			 South London Press 1   19.20 
			 Southern Daily Echo (31)1   276 
			 Sun 12 1  993.60 
			 Sunday Express   3 144 
			 Sunday Mirror   2 62.40 
			 Sunday People   2 62.40 
			 Sunday Telegraph   4 192 
			 Sunday Times   6 345.60 
			 Times 19 6  2,299.20 
			 Yorkshire Post 1 1  388.32 
		
	
	(31) Friday
	The approximate total annual cost is 27,980 to which suppliers apply a discount of 13.5 per cent. to some titles.This information covers central purchasing through the Department's library for library use and for retention by individual units. The figures are based on subscriptions purchased in January and February 2002, and extrapolated for 12 months to give the annual figures. Newspaper titles purchased remain fairly constant but there are variations in number of copies per title due to cancellations and new purchases.

Prescription Charges

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the percentage of prescriptions incurring a charge which were not dispensed in the last three years.

Hazel Blears: No assessment has been made of the extent to which people incurring a charge do not make use of prescriptions. Around 85 per cent. of items are dispensed free of charge and around 50 per cent. of the population do not have to pay charges.

Matrons

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many matrons have been recruited since his Department's announcement on the issue, broken down by (a) PCT areas and (b) age.

John Hutton: holding answer 29 April 2002
	Available information was published in a report, 'Modern Matrons in the NHS: a progress report', on 15 April 2002 and is set out in the table. Data was collected prior to changes that took effect on 1 April 2002, and is therefore presented within old regional office boundaries. Data broken down by PCT area and by age is not available centrally.
	
		
			 Region Number of matrons by April 2002 
		
		
			 London 452 
			 North West 224 
			 South West 261 
			 Trent 205 
			 West Midlands 210 
			 Northern and Yorkshire 239 
			 South West 180 
			 Eastern 124

Princess Royal Hospital (Haywards Heath)

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what occupational therapy is available for patients of the Villa psychiatric ward at the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath;
	(2)  what work is taking place at the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath to remove asbestos panelling in the Villa psychiatric ward.
	(3)  what recent representations he has received on behalf of patients regarding conditions at the Villa psychiatric ward at the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 29 April 2002
	Information on the occupational therapy services available for patients in the Villa psychiatric ward is not held centrally. However, it is recognised locally that there needs to be improvements in the provision of occupational therapy and other activities for patients. West Sussex Health and Social Care NHS Trust, which now has responsibility for the facility, is taking action as a matter of urgency to bring this about.
	The Villa ward is currently undergoing refurbishment to the bathroom and toilet areas. As part of this work, it has been necessary to remove and replace asbestos panels located in the service ducts. I have been assured that the existing panels are contained within the trust's asbestos register, that the work is being undertaken by authorised asbestos removal contractors and notifications have been given to the Health and Safety Executive.

Princess Royal Hospital (Haywards Heath)

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what security arrangements are in force for protection of medical records for psychiatric patients at the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 29 April 2002
	Medical records for current patients are kept under lock and key on the ward. Records for discharged patients are kept under lock and key in secure rooms.
	I was very concerned to learn that individuals entered the Villa Ward office and appeared to have looked at confidential records and removed other items. The break-in was reported to Sussex Police and they are currently investigating. An internal investigation is being carried out by the Trust.

MMR

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures have been taken by his Department to maintain records of children who have been vaccinated for measles, mumps and rubella by separate injections through private providers.

Yvette Cooper: holding answer 29 April 2002
	It is the responsibility of private providers to submit information on children who have had separate vaccines either to the general practitioner (GP) responsible for the child's care, or to the primary care trust where they live. If the private provider does not submit such information, it can only be ascertained by either the GP or the community child health unit approaching the parents of apparently unimmunised children.

Antenatal maternity Units

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many antenatal maternity units have been modernised since 2001.

Yvette Cooper: holding answer 29 April 2002
	Over 200 maternity units in England received a share of the 100 million capital investment to carry out a range of major and minor projects some of which included upgrading of antenatal units.
	Projects relating to refurbishment of antenatal units are in various stages of completion, with equipment purchased for some, redecoration work underway in most, while some projects involving building work are in the tendering process. All projects should be completed around April 2003.

Hepatitis C

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate his Department has made of the number of people infected with hepatitis C in the United Kingdom.

Yvette Cooper: holding answer 29 April 2002
	It is estimated that 0.4 per cent. of the general population in England (about 200,000 people) have chronic hepatitis C infection. Information on the prevalence of chronic hepatitis C infection in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland can be obtained from the respective devolved administrations.

Hepatitis C

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the main common characteristics of those suffering from hepatitis C in the United Kingdom.

Yvette Cooper: holding answer 29 April 2002
	In the majority of cases, people who acquire hepatitis C infection do not have any immediate symptoms. Only a small proportion of patients develop an acute illness with jaundice soon after infection. Up to 80 per cent. of people infected with hepatitis C develop chronic infection. Many of those remain well or only develop symptoms after many years, with the onset of complications of chronic liver disease. Some of those with chronic infection report non-specific symptoms, such as tiredness and fatigue, muscle pains and aching joints, depression, and some complain of poor memory or concentration.

Worthing and Southlands Hospitals NHS Trust

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nurses have been recruited to Worthing and Southlands Hospitals Trust; and, of these, how many have been recruited from overseas and from which countries.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 29 April 2002
	Worthing and Southlands Hospitals NHS Trust has advised that the figures for the last two years are as follows:
	
		
			  Total nursing staff recruited Overseas recruitment (percentage) 
		
		
			 200001 (32)202 (33)25 
			 200102 (34)221 (35),(36)67 overseas nurses (30 per cent.) 
		
	
	(32) Of which 72 were nurse assistants.
	(33) Philippines 12 per cent.
	(34) Of which 59 were nurse assistants.
	(35) 65Philippines.
	(36) 2South Africa.
	Source:
	Worthing and Southlands Hospitals NHS Trust.

Acute Services (East Kent)

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made with the review of acute services in East Kent; and when he expects it to make a decision.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 29 April 2002
	The Kent and Medway health authority considered the options for the configuration of acute services in East Kent on 16 April. Their recommendations will be put to Ministers shortly.

Kent Ambulance NHS Trust

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reason he has forbidden the Kent Ambulance NHS Trust to recruit substantively to senior management positions.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 29 April 2002
	It is for the new Kent and Medway strategic health authority to determine if senior posts, currently vacant, should be filled during the period of the review of ambulance services.
	As the hon. Member is aware, health authorities, together with their primary care trusts, will review the position of their local ambulance services. They will make recommendations to the director of health and social care for the south, by September 2002, about how ambulance services should be organised in the future.

Kent Ambulance NHS Trust

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made with the review into the Kent Ambulance NHS Trust; and when it is expected to be complete.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 29 April 2002
	As announced on 15 January 2002, health authorities, together with their primary care trusts, will review the position of their local ambulance services. They will make recommendations to the director of health and social care for the south, by September 2002, about how ambulance services should be organised in the future.

Nursing Care

Stephen McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how the allocation of free nursing care outside hospital is monitored;
	(2)  what avenues exist for individuals and their relatives to appeal when (a) claimants are not adequately assessed for nursing care and (b) when necessary items are excluded and then subjected to charging and means-testing;
	(3)  what mechanisms exist within the NHS to ensure that nursing care outside hospital is free.

Jacqui Smith: Guidance was issued to the national health service and to councils with social service responsibilities on 25 September 2001 under cover of HSC 2001/17: LAC (2001)26. The National Health Service (Nursing Care in Residential Accommodation) (England) Directions 2001 direct the national health service to carry out these functions. Copies of the guidance and the directions are in the Library.
	From 1 October 2001, the NHS became responsible for determining the need for care by a registered nurse of all people who pay the full costs of their nursing care themselves and for arranging payments to nursing homes. Budget responsibilities lie with the nursing home co-ordinator and professional responsibilities with a lead nurse. From that date nobody should have to pay for the care that they need from a registered nurse. This corrects the anomaly of people in a nursing home having to pay for the care from a registered nurse that would have been provided free of charge in any other setting.
	All new residents entering homes after that date will have had their needs reviewed within three months and 12 months thereafter. It is open to anyonethe resident, their family or the nursing hometo seek a review of any determination made if they feel it does not accurately reflect the person's need for a registered nurse. The lead nurse may arrange for a further determination to be carried out. If anyone remains dissatisfied, the matter can be referred to the health authority's continuing care panel for a decision to be reviewed.
	Residents of nursing homes should have access to services from the NHS and local authorities on the same basis as they would if they were in any other setting. Local authorities continue to be able to charge for some of the services that they provide. For residents of care homes providing residential care and those receiving care in their own home, NHS services are provided free of charge directly by the community nursing service. In the case of nursing home residents, nursing homes are paid for the care from a registered nurse that a person needs and which they provide.

BCG Vaccination

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which health authorities do not provide the BCG vaccination.

Yvette Cooper: holding answer 28 February 2002
	The Government have recommended continually since 1953 that BCG vaccine should be routinely offered to all school children aged 10 to 14. These recommendations are set out in the book Immunisation against infectious disease (1996).
	The national schools BCG programme resumed in March 2001 following a period of suspension from September 1999 due to limited supplies of the vaccine. However, routine BCG vaccine is currently not being offered to school children in Oxford, Avon and York/Selby.
	The Department will be working with all health authorities to ensure that they comply with the policy in the coming school year.

NHS Professionals

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to ensure that accurate comparisons can be made of the costs of NHS Professionals and commercial nurses' agencies.

John Hutton: Agency framework agreements are currently being put in place with commercial agencies providing temporary staff to the national health service.
	These will clearly set out each agency's charging rates, and allow cost comparisons with NHS professionals, who charge a standard management fee of 7 per cent. to cover operational costs.

Private Finance Initiative

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what changes he plans to make to the development of private finance initiative schemes.

John Hutton: The Department issued guidance on 21 March 2002 which sets out a number of initiatives that are designed to speed up private finance initiative (PFI) procurement and ensure that the national health service obtains the best value from the current market.
	The guidance entitled Improving PFI Procurement can be found on the dedicated Department's PFI website at www.doh.gov.uk/pfi
	The operation of the PFI process will continue to be monitored and refined to ensure it makes its contribution to the modernisation of the NHS set out in the NHS plan.

Locums

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on progress with including locums on health authority supplementary lists.

John Hutton: Health authorities and primary care trusts have until 31 May 2002 to complete the initial compilation of their supplementary lists.
	Provisional information provided by health authorities indicates that sufficient numbers of non-principals had applied to join supplementary lists, at 31 March, to maintain the existing level of support provided by this section of the work force to General Medical Services.

Waiting Times

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time for routine endoscopies was in the last 12 months.

John Hutton: We do not collect waiting times for endoscopy. The NHS cancer plan sets out new goals to reduce waiting times for cancer patients. The target is that by 2005 no one should wait longer than two months from urgent general practitioner referral to beginning cancer treatment except for a good clinical reason or through patient choice. This target period includes the time for necessary diagnostic tests including endoscopy. Data collection on the waiting times to treatment targets will be introduced as we roll out the cancer plan waiting times targets.
	2.5 million over three years has been made available within the national cancer plan to train more GPs, nurses, surgeons and gastroenterologists to meet the rising demand for endoscopy. This training will increase the number of diagnostic investigations that will be able to be carried out as an aid to diagnosis for patients with suspected cancer.

Cancelled Operations

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to broaden the definition of cancelled operation to include operations cancelled the day before admission.

John Hutton: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 19 April 2002, Official Report, column 1227W.

Nursing and Midwifery Council

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent advice his Department has given to the Nursing and Midwifery Council on registration procedures.

John Hutton: None.

General Practitioner Appraisals

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he plans to announce the recruitment of further GP appraisers.

John Hutton: Primary care trusts (PCTs) are responsible for ensuring they have sufficient appraisers to implement general practitioners (GPs) appraisals. Most PCTs have put forward between three and 10 GPs. We are pleased with the progress being made.

Nurses

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reason the fees for the re-registration of nurses have increased in the last year.

John Hutton: Registration fees for nurses, midwives and health visitors are the responsibility of the Nursing and Midwifery Council. The increase, which was decided by its predecessor, the United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting, and introduced from 1 October 2001, was to match increases in core business, notably on casework relating to professional conduct.

Occupational Health

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of the new investment in the NHS is to be devoted to (a) workplace health and (b) the development of the occupational health service.

John Hutton: Decisions about what proportion of the extra resources for the national health service announced in the 2002 Budget is to be devoted to workplace health and occupational health services will be taken locally rather than nationally.
	Good occupational health and safety is an essential part of the effective management of the health of people at work. The Effective Management of Occupational Health and Safety Services in the NHS, issued by the Department of Health in November 2001, describes the range of services which should be available to all staff working in the NHS and sets a number of standards for their delivery. The service delivery standards form part of the Improving Working Lives programme in the NHS.

Primary Care Trusts (Leeds)

Colin Challen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what level of extra funding each primary care trust in Leeds may receive as a result of the changes announced in the Budget statement.

John Hutton: As a result of the Budget, the national health service in England will receive an annual average real terms growth in resources of 7.4 per cent. for the five years from 200304 to 200708. Local allocations to primary care trusts will be announced later this year.

Primary Care Premises

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many primary care premises have been improved in (a) England and (b) each health authority since March 1999.

John Hutton: holding answer 25 March 2002
	The number of improvements to premises used by General Practitioners in England and by health authority from April 1999 to December 2001 are shown in the table.
	The table includes provisional data for 200102.
	
		
			 Health authority Improvements 
		
		
			 Bradford 13 
			 County Durham and Darlington 12 
			 East Riding and Hull 11 
			 Gateshead and South Tyneside 1 
			 Leeds 30 
			 Newcastle and North Tyneside 23 
			 North Cumbria 21 
			 Northumberland 7 
			 Sunderland 6 
			 Tees 32 
			 Wakefield 13 
			 North Yorkshire 13 
			 Calderdale and Kirklees 16 
			 Barnsley 5 
			 North Derbyshire 11 
			 Southern Derbyshire 18 
			 Doncaster 3 
			 Leicestershire 25 
			 Lincolnshire 21 
			 North Nottinghamshire 6 
			 Nottingham 11 
			 Rotherham 4 
			 Sheffield 6 
			 South Humber 10 
			 Birmingham 31 
			 Coventry 5 
			 Dudley 12 
			 Herefordshire 0 
			 Sandwell 2 
			 Shropshire 9 
			 Solihull 2 
			 North Staffordshire 16 
			 South Staffordshire 6 
			 Walsall 9 
			 Warwickshire 13 
			 Wolverhampton 39 
			 Worcestershire 1 
			 South Lancashire 10 
			 Liverpool 13 
			 Manchester 7 
			 Morecambe Bay 7 
			 St. Helens and Knowsley 29 
			 Salford and Trafford 16 
			 Sefton 33 
			 Stockport 1 
			 West Pennine 13 
			 Bury and Rochdale 10 
			 North Cheshire 24 
			 South Cheshire 14 
			 East Lancashire 10 
			 North West Lancashire 6 
			 Wigan and Bolton 15 
			 Wirral 28 
			 Bedfordshire 8 
			 North Essex 6 
			 South Essex 32 
			 Suffolk 4 
			 Cambridgeshire 25 
			 Norfolk 20 
			 Hertfordshire 12 
			 Hillingdon 10 
			 Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster 23 
			 Redbridge and Waltham Forest 7 
			 Croydon 13 
			 Kingston and Richmond 2 
			 Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham 3 
			 Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth 13 
			 Barking and Havering 27 
			 Brent and Harrow 35 
			 Camden and Islington 7 
			 Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow 13 
			 East London and City 48 
			 Barnet, Enfield and Haringey 6 
			 Bromley, Bexley and Greenwich 12 
			 Berkshire 27 
			 Buckinghamshire 9 
			 East Kent 31 
			 West Kent 12 
			 East Surrey 13 
			 West Surrey 41 
			 East Sussex, Brighton and Hove 15 
			 West Sussex 61 
			 Northamptonshire 20 
			 Oxfordshire 20 
			 North and Mid Hampshire 36 
			 Southampton and SW Hampshire 48 
			 Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and South East Hampshire 21 
			 Somerset 0 
			 South and West Devon 39 
			 Wiltshire 8 
			 Avon 10 
			 Cornwall and Isles of Scilly 0 
			 Dorset 11 
			 North and East Devon 3 
			 Gloucestershire 2 
			  
			 England 1,452

Correspondence

Crispin Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list which individuals and bodies he understands to be represented by the phrase all concerned in Sir William Wells' letter to him of 28 February 2001 as being content to publish the draft statement appended to that letter.

Hazel Blears: This is a matter for Sir William Wells.

NHS Staff Numbers

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many vacancies there were for (a) occupational therapists, (b) physiotherapists and (c) speech and language therapists in each NHS region in each year from 1997.

John Hutton: Between 1999 and 2001 there have been increases in the number of physiotherapists, occupational therapists and speech and language therapists of:
	1,250 (10 per cent.) occupational therapists
	1,140 (7.75 per cent.) physiotherapists
	400 (8 per cent.) speech and language therapists.
	The information requested on vacancies has been placed in the Library. The Department did not collect vacancy information in 1997 or 1998.

NHS Staff Numbers

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) occupational therapists, (b) physiotherapists and (c) speech and language therapists were employed in the NHS in each NHS region in each year since 1997.

John Hutton: The information requested is shown in the table.
	Overall between 1997 and 2001 the number of
	occupational therapists has increased by 2,390 (20 per cent.)
	physiotherapists has increased by 1,970 (14 per cent.)
	speech and language therapists has increased by 810 (16 per cent.).
	
		NHS hospital and community health services (HCHS): qualified scientific, therapeutic and technical staff within the specified areas of work and NHS regional office areas as at 30 September each year
		
			  1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 
		
		
			 Occupational therapists 11,520 11,980 12,660 13,130 13,910 
			 Northern and Yorkshire 1,390 1,430 1,550 1,640 1,750 
			 Trent 1,260 1,310 1,400 1,420 1,580 
			 West Midlands 1,050 1,150 1,220 1,260 1,340 
			 North West 1,490 1,540 1,620 1,710 1,820 
			 Eastern 1,090 1,150 1,210 1,270 1,410 
			 London 1,670 1,760 1,870 1,940 2,000 
			 South East 2,050 2,070 2,150 2,190 2,340 
			 South West 1,410 1,460 1,540 1,590 1,680 
			 Others 100 90 100 100 0 
			   
			 Physiotherapists 14,240 14,700 15,070 15,610 16,210 
			 Northern and Yorkshire 1,970 2,000 2,070 2,120 2,270 
			 Trent 1,450 1,530 1,570 1,610 1,600 
			 West Midlands 1,580 1,630 1,670 1,740 1,750 
			 North West 2,070 2,150 2,170 2,280 2,360 
			 Eastern 1,170 1,220 1,270 1,300 1,400 
			 London 2,030 2,120 2,230 2,300 2,320 
			 South East 2,350 2,390 2,420 2,480 2,670 
			 South West 1,620 1,660 1,680 1,790 1,850 
			 Speech and language therapists 4,870 5,030 5,180 5,430 5,680 
			 Northern and Yorkshire 570 570 600 640 690 
			 Trent 500 480 460 530 520 
			 West Midlands 510 540 540 570 580 
			 North West 660 690 700 750 730 
			 Eastern 410 450 460 500 510 
			 London 840 910 960 960 1,020 
			 South East 890 880 920 950 1,060 
			 South West 490 500 540 530 570 
			 Others(37) (38) (38) (38) (38) (38) 
		
	
	(37) Others include special health authorities and other statutory bodies
	(38) Five or less and greater than zero
	Notes:
	1. Due to the new regional office boundaries in 1999 the 1997 and 1998 figures are estimated regional splits
	2. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10
	Source:
	Department of Health non-medical workforce census

Ambulance Service Reviews

David Wilshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish a list of ambulance service reviews carried out in south-east England in the last five years, stating (a) when each began, (b) when each was conducted, (c) how much each cost and (d) how much was spent on consultants on each occasion.

Hazel Blears: In 1999 the national health service executive's south-east regional office first asked ambulance trusts in the south-east to review their structures to ascertain whether their number and size were appropriate to enable them to fulfil core duties, including emergency services, effectively. This culminated in formal proposals for a review of ambulance service in the region which were circulated for public consultation between May and September 2001.
	As a result of the consultation it was announced on 15 January 2002 that health authorities, together with their primary care trusts, would review the position of their local ambulance services. They will make recommendations to the Director of Health and Social Care for the south, by September 2002, about how ambulance services should be organised in the future. This is the only review conducted centrally. Each ambulance trust also reviewed its service in terms of performance standards.
	Information on local reviews of ambulance services is not collected centrally.
	No additional work force costs were incurred as most of the work in connection with the review of ambulance services in the south-east has been carried out by existing civil servants at the Department and staff at health authorities and trusts. Additional costs were incurred for printing and the hire of, for example, church halls, for public meetings. Consultants KPMG were also involved in some service reviews. However, the wide ranging nature of the process and the number of organisations involved have meant that no central collation of costs was made.

National Insurance

David Wilshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the cost of the 1 per cent. increase in national insurance payments for each NHS trust in its first year of application.

John Hutton: It is not possible to estimate the cost for each individual national health service trust. The cost to the NHS as a whole is estimated to be around 200 million next year, or 0.3 per cent. of total NHS spending.

Ashford and St. Peter's Hospitals

David Wilshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many franchising bids he has received for the post of Chief Executive of the Ashford and St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Trust.

Hazel Blears: The Department's directorate of health and social care for the south of England has received two expressions of interest. An announcement will be made shortly.

Anti-TB Vaccination

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the commercial basis of the decision to award the anti-TB vaccination contract to Powderject was.

Yvette Cooper: holding answer 28 February 2002
	The contract was awarded to Powderject under European Union public procurement regulations.
	Powderject was the only manufacturer with a United Kingdom licence to supply BCG vaccine at that time.

Doctors' Salaries

Shaun Woodward: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the starting salary for (a) junior house officers and (b) senior house officers in (i) the north-west, (ii) the south-east, (iii) the north-east, (iv) the midlands and (v) Scotland was in (A) 1999, (B) 2000 and (C) 2001; what it is in 2002; and what it will be in (1) 2003 and (2) 2004.

John Hutton: holding answer 25 March 2002
	The basic starting salaries of junior doctors are negotiated and determined nationally, and therefore show no regional variation. This includes Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
	The following table shows as starting salaries the first scale point for house officers and senior house officers over the period 1999 to 2002.
	
		
			  House officer Senior house officer 
		
		
			 1999 16,710 20,845 
			 2000 17,260 21,535 
			 2001 17,935 22,380 
			 2002 18,585 23,190 
		
	
	These are basic salaries, subject to a post-specific supplement to reflect the intensity and unsocial hours aspects of the work of that post. Supplements range from 20 per cent. of basic salary to 70 per cent. of basic salary; most posts attract at least 50 per cent. Regional variations are not significant. The salaries of doctors in training form part of the remit of the Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration (DDRB). Doctors' pay is influenced by DDRB recommendations and salary levels in 2003 and beyond will be dependent upon the views of that body in the light of the circumstances at the time.

GP and Dental Services

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of (a) general practitioners and (b) dentists were located (i) within five, (ii) five to 10, (iii) 10 to 15 and (iv) more than 15 kilometres from settlements with under 3,000 people in (A) 1999, (B) 2000 and (C) 2001.

John Hutton: holding answer 15 April 2002
	Table A shows the estimated percentage of general practitioners in England who were located within (i) five, (ii) five to 10, (iii) 10 to 15 and (iv) more than 15 kilometres from settlements with under 3,000 people, at September for 1999, 2000 and 2001. Table B shows the equivalent data for dentists.
	
		Table A: Estimate of the percentage of Unrestricted Principals and Equivalent (UPEs) within certain distances from settlements with under 3,000 people at September for each of the years 1999, 2000 and 2001 in England -- Percentage
		
			 Distance from settlement 1999 2000 2001 
		
		
			 Less than 5 km 88 88 88 
			 5 km to 10 km 7 7 7 
			 10 km to 15 km 5 4 4 
			 Greater than 15 km 0 0 0 
		
	
	Note:
	Data as at 1 October 1999 and 30 September 2000 and 2001.
	Source:
	Department of Health General and Personal Medical Services Statistics.
	
		Table B: General Dental Serviceestimated percentage of principal dentists(39) within certain distances from settlements with under 3,000 people at September(40) for each of the years 1999, 2000 and 2001 -- Percentage
		
			 Distance from settlement 1999 2000 2001 
		
		
			 Less than 5 km 85 86 86 
			 5 km to 10 km 9 8 8 
			 10 km to 15 km 6 6 6 
			 Greater than 15 km (41) (41) (41) 
		
	
	(39) Dentists are General Dental Service principals on health authority lists. They are counted at every location where they practice. Assistants and vocational dental practitioners are excluded.
	(40) Dentists who had a payment claim processed in September.
	(41) Less than 1 per cent.

Acute Hospitals

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list those parties which have indicated interest in providing franchised management services for acute hospitals.

John Hutton: holding answer 18 April 2002
	The Department is setting up a register of interest for organisations outside of the national health service which are interested in taking on the management franchise for poorly performing NHS trusts. The register will be made public and its criteria published in full. The Department has not yet formally invited expressions of interest, pending publication of the register in the summer.

Negligence Claims

Jack Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many negligence claims have been made against the NHS in each of the last five years; what the cost was to the NHS from negligence claims over that period; what the average length of time was for a negligence case against the NHS to be settled; and how many inquiries have been set up following settlement of negligence claims against the NHS in those years.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 1 May 2002
	The Department does not hold figures for all negligence claims made against the NHS.
	Overall figures for expenditure on clinical negligence, which have been taken from the national audited summarised accounts for health authorities, NHS trusts and NHS litigation authority (NHSLA), for each of the latest years are as follows:
	
		
			   million 
		
		
			 199697 235 
			 199798 144 
			 199899 221 
			 19992000 373 
		
	
	Figures prior to 199697 are not available because clinical negligence was not separately identified in the accounts prior to that date. Changes to accounting policies mean that these amounts are not directly comparable. Data for 200001 are not available owing to the transfer of the existing liability scheme to the NHSLA and the format of the accounts.

Golden Jubilee

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what precautions (a) local hospitals and (b) emergency management services are planning to take in preparation for the crowds anticipated during the weekend of the Queen's Golden Jubilee; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: Planning for big events, including the Queen's Golden Jubilee, is co-ordinated by the local police forces built upon tried and tested procedures. There are established major Incident procedures and cross border support mechanisms. All hospitals and ambulance services have major incident plans.
	The main celebrations for the Queen's Golden Jubilee are being held in London. The Department of Culture, Media and Sport has an operational and safety planning group, which includes emergency services and health representatives, to oversee the safety and health aspects of the events in the Royal Parks, the City of London and the processional route to St. Paul's Cathedral.
	These systems are designed to treat as many casualties as possible at the event sites using first aid posts or advance treatment centres which will be staffed by doctors, nurses and first aiders. This will reduce vehicle movements around the events and reduce potential pressure on accident and emergency departments.